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My Dental Coach >
My Dental Coach: Staying Healthy in the Hospital
Hospitals are not the healthiest environments especially
when your immune system is already compromised. An area
that receives little attention, yet vital to good health,
is your oral condition before and during your hospital
stay. Believe it or not, your dental health is one of the
keys to staying healthy and resisting infections.
Here is how the presence of oral infection puts you at
risk.
1. Pneumonia is caused by germs that build up in the lungs
and block the flow of oxygen to the body. If the mouth is
not clean, there are more germs in the mouth and throat,
increasing the chances of sparking an infection.
2. Bacteria from gum disease can travel on an intubation
tube into the lungs during a surgical procedure leading to
post-operative pneumonia
3. Heart attack and stroke are increased when germs from
diseased gums get into the bloodstream
4. A poor oral condition weakens your immune system
So what can you do to protect yourself or a loved one? With
understaffing and lack of dental supplies in the hospital,
you or a visitor may have the responsibility of performing
hygiene functions.
1. Get your gum condition under control before you go into
the hospital
2. Swab the mouth with a non-alcohol mouthwash after
surgery to keep oral tissues moist and prevent bacterial
colonization
3. Make certain that oral care of brushing and rinsing with
a non-alcoholic mouthwash is performed daily during your
hospital stay.
4. Thoroughly clean dentures daily by brushing and soaking
with an antibacterial agent.
As an aside: label your dentures and the case they are
being stored in. If your dentures are lost, you will be
unable to eat and digest your food. This can delay healing
and increase your vulnerability.
Practicing good oral hygiene, steering clear of sugary
foods and beverages, lowering stress levels, and seeing
your dentist on a regular basis may very well help ward off
a serious complication during your hospital stay.
To view our archived tips:
www.oramedica.com/archivedtips.html
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Want to help lower your healthcare costs? Holistic Dental
Health Tips Booklets are a great way to introduce Health
Conscious Dentistry to your employees. A healthy body
begins with a healthy mouth.
http://www.oramedica.com/tipsbooklets.html
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Keep your eye out for enrolling your employees in our
HealthyGates "Consumer Dental Advocacy Program" designed to
reduce absenteeism, improve their overall health and
increase productivity in the workplace.
http://www.oramedica.com/healthygates.html
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www.oramedica.com
Please be advised that the content of the tips are not
meant as a substitute for professional advice. Always seek
the advice of your physician, dentist or other qualified
health care practitioner before starting any new treatment
or making any changes to existing treatment
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Reserved
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