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.