Safety basics

Oral care is pneumonia prevention.

When saliva carries fewer bacteria, anything that does go down the wrong way is less likely to cause aspiration pneumonia. Two minutes, twice a day, genuinely matters.

1. Brush teeth, gums, and tongue twice daily with a soft brush. even (especially) if eating little by mouth.
2. Sit upright for oral care, with the chin slightly down, to manage any liquid.
3. Use minimal water and suction or spit: a barely-damp brush works if thin liquids are restricted.
4. Clean dentures nightly and brush the gums underneath; ill-fitting dentures change chewing. Mention them to the SLP.
5. Moisturize a dry mouth. Dry mouth makes swallowing harder. Ask the pharmacist about saliva substitutes.