September2024

Researchers have found an inexpensive tool that may help reduce rates of pneumonia for hospitalized patients — and it comes with bristles on one end. A new study examined whether daily toothbrushing among hospitalized patients is associated with lower rates of hospital-acquired pneumonia and other outcomes. The results were especially compelling among patients on mechanical ventilation.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia occurs when bacteria in the mouth enter a patient’s airways and infect their lungs. Patients experiencing frailty or patients with a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible to developing hospital-acquired pneumonia during their hospital stay. Adopting a daily toothbrushing regimen can decrease the number of bacteria in the mouth, potentially lowering the risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia from occurring.

The team’s analysis found that daily toothbrushing was associated with a significantly lower risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia and ICU mortality. In addition, the investigators identified that toothbrushing for patients in the ICU was associated with fewer days of mechanical ventilation and a shorter length of stay in the ICU.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice.  Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236.  330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

An international study has revealed strong associations between oral health and survival among people diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Specifically, better oral health, as evidenced by the number of natural teeth and dental visits prior to the time of diagnosis, was associated with increased survival. Importantly, those who had more frequent dental visits were more likely to have their cancer diagnosed at an earlier, and less deadly, stage of the disease than those who had few or no dental visits.

Head and neck cancer patients were asked to self-report aspects of their oral health and hygiene, including gum bleeding, tooth brushing frequency, and mouthwash use, as well as the number of natural teeth and frequency of dental visits they had during a 10-year period prior to their cancer diagnosis.

Those who had frequent dental visits (more than five visits in a reported decade) had higher overall survival at five and 10 years compared to those with no dental visits. This finding was most pronounced among people with cancers of the oropharynx, which consists of the structures in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue, tonsils, and soft palate. Having no natural remaining teeth was associated with a 15% lower five-year overall survival compared to those with more than 20 natural teeth.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice.  Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236.  330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com

Q: What’s the difference between canker sores and cold sores?

A: This is a good question; the two are often confused. The basic difference is that canker sores erupt inside the mouth. Cold sores, which are sometimes called fever blisters, appear externally, around the lips and under the nose. A canker sore is a small ulcer with a white or gray base and a red border. Also, canker sores are not contagious.

Fatigue, stress, and allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore, but the fundamental cause of one remains uncertain. Problems with a person’s immune system, bacterial imbalances, or a virus can also be factors. Canker sores generally heal on their own after a week or two. An antimicrobial mouthwash and over-the-counter anesthetics may be helpful in coping with a canker sore.

Cold sores, on the other hand, are groups of fluid-filled blisters. Cold sores caused by herpes virus type 1 are very contagious. Once a person is infected with herpes, the virus stays in the body. In some people, the virus may stay dormant. Stress, sunburn, skin abrasion, or a fever may bring on an outbreak of cold sores. The blisters usually clear up in about a week.

Talk to your dentist if you experience a problem with either. Some prescription medicine may be appropriate, depending on your condition.

If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice.  Refer someone you love to someone you trust!

Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,

39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236.  330-650-0360.

www.drshooverandyanda.com