Constant care should be adopted for the treatment of patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). It is necessary to cover the proper oral hygiene habit given to the interrelationship between oral and systemic diseases, in the development of nosocomial pneumonia. Considering these deficiencies and elucidated problematizations, the present study aimed to evaluate the oral hygiene protocols in patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. National and international protocols and studies, published between 2000 and 2017, were analyzed regarding the hygiene process, the proposed method and the benefits obtained. The incorporation of the dentist surgeon into the ICU team is extremely necessary for the promotion of health and quality of life of critically ill patients. The regularization of a protocol of oral hygiene in patients of the intensive care unit, becomes relevant for the reduction of the incidence of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation, reduction of hospitalization time and consequently, for the promotion of oral comfort and quality of life.
Intensive care units, Exposure to biological agents, Oral hygiene
ICU: Intensive Care Units
Patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) should receive special and constant care, not only to treat the illness that led to hospitalization, but also to take care of other organs and systems that may implicate in their recovery and prognosis [1]. The necessary care should be fully evaluated, involving a multidisciplinary team, prioritizing the general well-being of the patient in intensive care [2].
Oral hygiene deficiency is common in these patients, who often remain open-mouthed due to orotracheal intubation. This promotes dehydration of the mucosa and leads to a decrease in salivary flow, providing a greater colonization of bacteria, which leads to the predisposition of infectious foci, as in the case of periodontal diseases [3]. A greater amount and differentiation of the dental biofilm can promote interactions between native bacteria and respiratory pathogens, contributing to the development of diseases [4].
In the intensive care unit, there is an interest in the possible relationship between oral health and systemic disease, especially regarding the development of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation [5]. Nosocomial pneumonia may develop from the bronchoaspiration of pathogens present in the buccal microbiota or from periodontal disease, by the hematological diffusion of pathogens present [6].
The presence of biofilm interferes with oral alterations present in the patient, such as caries, periodontal disease, pulp necrosis, among others. They affect both the therapy employed and the general state of the patient [7].
Dental care, such as the correct oral hygiene protocol, should be performed in the ICUs by a trained dentist and a nursing team to help eliminate the potential microbiological reservoirs that compromise these patients [8].
The present study aimed to evaluate oral hygiene protocols in patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. Looking to know the care taken, such as the method of oral hygiene and materials used, instituted in the literature.
The present study deals with a review of the descriptive and qualitative literature using a narrative review of the literature. The search descriptors searched in Portuguese and English were: Intensive Care Unit, exposure to biological agents, oral hygiene method and oral hygiene protocols in the ICU. For the accomplishment of this study, protocols and national and international studies, on an unsystematic basis, on hospital odontology in the ICU, published between 2000 and 2017 were analyzed. The databases used in the research were: BIREME, SCIELO, MEDLINE. In which, the articles about the oral hygiene protocols were selected in patients under care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
For this study we evaluated 8 protocols and studies reported in the literature and instituted in hospitals. The solutions used and the proposed method were analyzed, as well as the benefits obtained with the results of the use of these protocols in oral hygiene.
According to a study carried out by Santos [3], in a pilot cross section, in which a protocol was instituted in the Central Hospital of the Brotherhood of Santa Casa de Mericórdia of São Paulo (Table 1). An enzyme solution based on lactoperoxidase, which is an enzyme present in human saliva, has been used. The results obtained showed a visual improvement of the inflammatory appearance of the gums, oral dryness, halitosis and the ease of removal of debris.
Table 1: Oral hygiene protocol with use of enzymatic solution based on lactoperoxidase. View Table 1
The choice of an enzymatic product is important, since the absence in its composition of an abrasive substance, such as alcohol, detergent and dye, prevents it from further damaging the compromised oral mucosa [9].
According to a study by Makabe [10], 150 adult patients of both sexes were admitted to the ICU of a Public Hospital in the city of São Paulo. The material was collected and analyzed, the presence of yeasts, filamentous fungi and bacteria was observed. An analysis of three products used in oral hygiene was carried out once a day for three consecutive days.
In the process of oral disease prevention, it is important to use the mechanical removal of the dental biofilm, which may or may not be associated with the use of chemical agents [11]. The daily use associated with a dental hygiene protocol on dental biofilm provides a prevention of mechanical ventilation associated pneumonia-VAP [12].
The use of substances that reduce the contamination of the oral microbiota is important to avoid infections. The 0.12% Chlorhexidine Digluconate solution containing xylitol significantly reduced the prevalence of aerobic gram-positive cocci, responsible for the first phase of infection [13] (Table 2).
Table 2: Evaluation of filtered water, chlorhexidine digluconate 0.12% and ethanolic extract of propolis 6% in oral hygiene of patients admitted to the ICU. View Table 2
The antimicrobial activity of the 6% propolis ethanolic extract on different oral pathogens demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity, inhibition of cell adherence on glass surfaces and inhibited the formation of insoluble glycan [14]. In studies by Gebara [15], show that the 6% propolis ethanolic extract shows good antimicrobial activity, mainly against periodontal bacteria and inhibition of bacterial growth.
Miranda & Montenero [16], performed a dental intervention in the ICU of a hospital in Brasília-DF, in a 86-year-old patient. The elimination of the presence of dental biofilm and supragingival calculus was done by scraping, associated with prophylaxis made with dental brush and prophylactic paste. In addition, tooth brushing with acidified phosphate fluoride at 1.23% was chosen to maintain the buccal cavity with a basic pH, which is less harmful to dental structures. Associated with tongue hygiene with the 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate solution by gauze soaked and fixed in a needle holder and tongue cleaners. The procedures were performed during 6 consecutive days, after this period a significant improvement of the patient's oral condition was observed.
In a study conducted by Amaral [17], in which the questionnaires were carried out by the multidisciplinary team regarding the methods and protocols of biofilm control used as an oral hygiene protocol in the ICU. As the most frequent method used, 67% answered that it was the use of gauze moistened in antiseptic on mucous membranes, tongue, cheek and teeth. Among the available antiseptics, chlorhexidine digluconate was the solution most frequently mentioned by professionals. It was verified that the methods approached were not adequate.
The influence of oral health on the systemic condition, and vice versa, shows the need for the dental surgeon to be part of the multidisciplinary teams in the Intensive Care Units. Poor oral hygiene, as well as the lack of clinical dental practices, professional adaptation and neglect of oral health by patients themselves and health professionals, poses risks to patient's systemic health. The performance of dentists trained in ICUs is fundamental to promote the health and quality of life of critical patients [18].
The incorporation of the dental surgeon into the multidisciplinary team of intensive care units is of paramount importance, as oral affections are sources of systemic aggravation and proliferation of infectious processes, which is a good prevention strategy. Regarding the protocols, there is still controversy in the literature about which protocol is the best, the product to be used and the frequency to be performed. However, the institutionalization of an oral hygiene protocol in intensive care unit patients is relevant for reducing the incidence of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation, reducing hospitalization time and, consequently, for promoting oral comfort and quality of life.