he oral cavity is a potential reservoir of pathogens. Not thoroughly brushing the teeth, tongue and palate means making it easier for bacteria to pass into the body.
Oral hygiene care should always be an integral part of one's daily routine, not only for reasons of comfort but especially in terms of safeguarding one's health. In fact, the oral cavity, in addition to being the main route to the digestive and respiratory systems, is also a potential reservoir of pathogens (about 300 species of bacteria) that could cause various ailments. First and foremost, oral diseases, which, in addition to being a serious cosmetic problem, are a cause of dehydration and malnutrition as well as a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Second, poor oral hygiene in dysphagic patients is related to aspiration pneumonias. Failure to brush the teeth, tongue, and palate thoroughly means exposing oneself to an overgrowth of bacteria that, by remaining incubated in the oral cavity, are likely to move within the body. In fact, such pathogens can make entry along with food, drink or saliva and reach the respiratory tract instead of the esophagus.
Oral hygiene as a daily preventive activity
For the reasons listed, oral hygiene should be one of the fundamental activities for those with dysphagia, especially for those who are unable to provide it independently for both motor and cognitive reasons. However, this is not always the case, and too often oral care is not seen as an integral part of patient care. Similar discussion applies to the evaluative investigation of the oral cavity, which often does not occur with the frequency and tools with which it should instead be carried out.
