The Effect of an Suction Toothbrush on the Development of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

All tooth surfaces, oral mucosa, and the tongue and surrounding area were cleaned every 8 hours (3x1) with distilled water and a suction toothbrush. The aspiration feature of the suction toothbrush enabled oral care and simultaneous aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions.

Every 8 hours (3x1) 15 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate oral solution (Adıgüzel, 2015) will be used with a suction toothbrush to clean all tooth surfaces, the oral mucosa, and the tongue. The aspiration feature of the suction toothbrush allows for the aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions during oral care.

All tooth surfaces, oral mucosa, and the tongue and surrounding tongue were cleaned with 15 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate oral solution (Adıgüzel, 2015) every 8 hours (3x1) and an oral care sponge used in oral care in the intensive care unit. After oral care, oropharyngeal secretions were aspirated.