Tooth brushing is a necessary activity in order to maintain oral health. Twice daily tooth brushing is the recommendation of the American Dental Association in order to maintain oral health.Without brushing, plaque accumulates in the subgingival crevices of the teeth and causes gingival inflammation and bleeding.During periods of illness, tooth
brushing is sometimes relegated to a lower priority and often forgotten. When a patient is critically ill,oral care, if performed at all, becomes a nursing function. This intervention is complicated when a patient is orally intubated. Brushing the teeth
becomes a challenge for the nurse because of the presence of the endotracheal tube and orogastric tubes in the patient’s mouth.