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Halitosis in long term care
The document discusses halitosis, its causes, and the significant health risks associated with bad breath, particularly for dependent individuals. It emphasizes the importance of professional oral care provided by dental hygienists and suggests that better oral care can prevent respiratory infections in elderly nursing home residents. Additionally, it advocates for regulations ensuring the presence of dental hygienists in Medicaid-funded facilities to enhance oral health and reduce related healthcare costs.
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Halitosis in long term care
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- 2. Caring for thosewho can’tA dental hygienist is a state licensed professional dedicated to education and providing oral care.
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- 4. HalitosisWhere does itcome from?Stomach
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- 7. SinusesLonelinessIsolated by awall of stink
- 8. Quality of LifeOutof placeNew surroundingsIsolated by breath
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- 11. Bad breathIsn’t funnyNodignity
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- 13. Bacteria break downtissue
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- 23. Polypharmacy Nearly allmedications reduce salivaAverage number of medications per resident is 8
- 24. Polypharmacy The combinationof drugs that all cause dry mouth contribute to halitosis
- 25. Saliva’s jobBuffer acidscreated by bacteriaDilute bacterial byproducts
- 26. Overgrowth of bacteriaProducegasesGases are exhaled into the atmosphere
- 27. Volatile Sulfur CompoundsDangerousgassesDestroy tissuesHarmful if inhaled
- 28. VSCHydrogen sulfideSignificant H2Spoisoning usually occurs by inhalation.
- 29. Local irritant effects,along with arrest of cellular respiration, may follow.
- 30. Effects similar tocyanide toxicity.
- 31. Easily penetrates biologicmembranes.VSCHydrogen sulfideAs a cellular poison, H2S affects all organs, particularly the CNS and pulmonary system.
- 32. The spectrum ofillness depends on the concentration and duration of exposure.VSCMethyl mercaptanMethyl mercaptan is a natural substance released from decaying matter.
- 33. Little is knownabout the health effects of this compound.
- 34. This chemical hasbeen found in at least 2 of the 1,300 National Priorities List sites identified by the environmental Protection Agency (EPA).VSCWho wants this inTheir mouthn a foul-smelling diamine formed by bacterial decarboxylation of lysine. Cadaverine is poisonous and irritating to the skin.See also ptomaineCadaverine
- 35. VSCCadaverinen a foul-smelling diamineformed by bacterial decarboxylation of lysine. Cadaverine is poisonous and irritating to the skin.
- 36. See also ptomaineCuresMouthwashDifficultto use ExpensiveAlcohol
- 37. CuresXylitolStops biofilm fromgrowingNot enough bacteria to cause damageMany forms
- 38. CuresXylitolSafe for usewith diabetesFewer calories than sugar
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- 42. Professional Oral CareTheseresults suggest that POHC by dental hygienists is effective in preventing respiratory infections in elderly persons requiring nursing care.
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Editor's Notes
- #12 This is bacteria on the tongue
- #13 Proteins in the tissue break down into gasses. Things like these compounds are released into the air. They are called volitile sulfur compounds. Not only do these gasses smell bad, they also have an effect on the tissue, it makes it more permeable. The space between the cells making up the tissue becomes larger, allowing bacteria more free access.
- #14 Volatile sulfur compounds also stimulate bacterial growth. These toxic gasses have a systemic effect as well as a social effect.
- #15 Quality of Life has components that have yet to be determined. Increasing the Quality of Life of residents in LTC is a mission we’re all on. Science tells us that a low Quality of Life brings on depression, and is a goal we all avoid. How do you feel when your breath doesn’t feel fresh, or if you think your breath smells bad? How do you feel when you’re talking to someone who has bad breath?
- #16 Residents with poor oral health have poor breath smells. In some facilities we can smell the bad breath of residents in the halls, the whole facility has poor air quality. Residents themselves have a decreased Quality of Life if their breath is particularly foul. They can be isolated by a wall of foul air, other residents may find speaking to someone with halitosis or denture breath off putting. Their sense of smell may be hindered, and that may affect their sense of taste, impacting their nutritional intake. It’s all part of a nasty cycle of ill health. A cycle that can be improved by frequent oral cares.
- #17 As we saw, bad breath can be caused by bacterial infections in the mouth, and just decaying food in the mouth. Bacteria also harbor in the tongue between the tastebuds. Badly cleaned dentures also contribute to bad breath. Oral cancer and throat infections also make for bad breath.
- #18 Other reasons for bad breath can be described by speaking to the comments in the slide.
- #19 Spend time talking about diet and oral habits that contribute to oral malodors. Ask questions about how the care giver takes care of themselves when they eat odor causing foods, and would they want someone to take care of them if their breath smelled.
- #20 The lack of saliva works in both directions. It rinses food from the mouth, and it also has elements that fight the bacteria that are accumulating. Most residents are on a number of medications that either slow or eliminate saliva production and flow. That puts them at risk for a number of problems like cavities, or periodontal disease and bad breath.
- #21 Polyphamacy issues arise on many levels. The biggest issue is the lack of concern for the lack of this precious bodily fluid. Medications have a synergy that can lead to sever discomfort and an inability to do a number of things.
- #24 Cariogenic bacteria live in an acidic environment. With good saliva not only are the teeth bathed in a fluid that contains the minerals that keep teeth whole, saliva creates a hostile environment for the bacteria. Because saliva is mostly water, it also dilutes bacterial byproducts.
- #25 http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110517.htmlThe smell of the gasses is unmistakable. Think of it as cadaverine and you’ll be very motivated to find ways to clean the resident’s teeth.
- #26 The gasses, in higher concentrations (although no one has checked on the amount of damage is done at this level), are very toxic and may contribute to respiratory problems in the resident an others!
- #27 These are examples from MSDS sheets from these gasses.
- #29 http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts139.pdf
- #30 http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/cadaverine
- #31 http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/cadaverine
- #33 http://xylitol.org/medical-info-xylitol-doctorsXylitol can be applied as a nasal spray, mouthwash, toothpaste, gum, mint
- #34 http://xylitol.org/medical-info-xylitol-doctors
- #35 http://xylitol.org/medical-info-xylitol-doctors
- #36 http://xylitol.org/medical-info-xylitol-doctors
- #37 http://xylitol.org/medical-info-xylitol-doctorsI included simplifying bathroom issues because some residents don’t remain hydrated because they don’t like going to the bathroom. In some instances bathroom issues can be simplified so addressing this can be helpful.
- #38 Int J Dent Hyg. 2007 May;5(2):69-74.Professional oral health care by dental hygienists reduced respiratory infections in elderly persons requiring nursing care.Adachi M, Ishihara K, Abe S, Okuda K.SourceDivision of Aging and Geriatric Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aobaku, Sendai, Japan. mieko-a@k9.dion.ne.jpAbstractOBJECTIVES:Respiratory infection is a major cause of death in the elderly. We have evaluated the role of professional oral health care (POHC) by dental hygienists in reducing respiratory infections in elderly persons requiring nursing care.METHODS:Two populations of elderly persons, one receiving POHC and one not, were examined to determine numbers of microorganisms, potent pathogens of respiratory infection, enzymatic activity in saliva, fevers, prevalence of fatal aspiration pneumonia and prevalence of influenza.RESULTS:In the first population, we found a high prevalence of potent respiratory pathogens such as Staphylococcus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Patients who received POHC showed a lower prevalence for these pathogens than those who did not. The ratio of fatal aspiration pneumonia in POHC patients was significantly lower than that in patients without POHC (non-POHC) over a 24-month period (P < 0.05). The prevalence of a fever of 37.8 degrees C or more in POHC patients was significantly lower than that in the non-POHC group (P < 0.05). In the second study population, we investigated the effects of POHC on infection with influenza over a 6-month period. In the POHC group, neuraminidase and trypsin-like protease activities decreased, and one of 98 patients was diagnosed with influenza; whereas, in the non-POHC group, nine of 92 patients were diagnosed with influenza. The relative risk of developing influenza while under POHC was 0.1 (95% CI 0.01-0.81, P = 0.008).CONCLUSION:These results suggest that POHC by dental hygienists is effective in preventing respiratory infections in elderly persons requiring nursing care.