Individuals in healthcare facilities frequently acquire pneumonia
by aspirating oral bacteria that has been colonized in the
oral flora into the lower airway. Patients often have difficulties
performing their own oral hygiene due to illness, old age,
dementia, or functional disabilities. Consequently, respiratory
pathogens are prone to colonization in dental plaque and the oral
mucosa of such populations. Reduction of oral microorganisms
through oral care has been postulated to be an effective
preventative measure of healthcare-associated pneumonia.