The role of oral hygiene in maintaining the health and well-being of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is indisputable.(1) Oral care is a simple and effective strategy to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Colonization of the aerodigestive tract and aspiration of contaminated secretions into the lower airway are the two primary pathogenic processes of endemic VAP.(2)
Dental plaque can be a major reservoir of infection by respiratory pathogens in ICU patients.(3) Pharmacological plaque control with chlorhexidine oral rinse is effective and also decreases oropharyngeal colonization by aerobic pathogens in ventilated patients.(4)