Saúde bucal de pacientes hospitalizados: revisão de literatura

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There is an important relationship between oral health and general health. In hospitalized patients, this relationship assumes even greater importance, as the individual is fragile and is often unable to perform adequate oral hygiene. OBJECTIVE: to identify in the literature the oral health conditions of hospitalized patients. METHODOLOGY: This is a bibliographical, exploratory study carried out through a literature review. The following virtual health databases were used, specifically the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Latin American and Caribbean Information System on Health Sciences (LILACS), National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), from 2010 to 2022. LITERATURE REVIEW: Hospitalized patients require excellent care, directed not only at pathophysiological problems, but also at psychosocial, environmental and family issues, which become intertwined with physical illness. In general, hospitalized patients do not have satisfactory oral hygiene. The patient's weakened state and the need for intubation, plus poor hygiene, may favor some oral conditions, such as: periodontal disease, halitosis, candidiasis, among others. DISCUSSION: Hospitalized patients end up compromising their oral health, being affected by some types of diseases, such as gingivitis, caries, periodontal disease, thus interfering with their systemic conditions, collaborating to increase the time and cost of hospital treatment, in addition to affecting their quality of life. Dental practice in hospitals aims to prevent and eliminate potential sources of infection, including inflammation and painful symptoms caused by oral problems that can directly affect the systemic conditions of critically ill patients and compromise their recovery. CONCLUSION: This study showed that hospitalization is associated with a deterioration in oral health, especially in patients who are admitted to the ICU. These patients end up having a significant alteration in the oral tissue, having an adverse impact on oral health, producing an accumulation of local irritants that favor the appearance of oral diseases. Therefore, preventive measures are recommended for this group of patients.