Science has already identified the mouth as a gateway for microorganisms that can cause several types of diseases, especially pulmonary and cardiac. According to the Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO) and the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Amibi), the lack of oral hygiene can also potentiate the effects of covid-19 in the body, since the replication of the virus in salivary glands is great, tongue and saliva.
Given this finding, the two entities created a manual with procedures to be adopted for oral hygiene of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Cleaning is done with the help of a substance that, through oxidation, reduces the colonies of microorganisms in the mouth.
“This type of procedure was already being adopted to prevent pneumonia caused by other microorganisms, such as bacteria, both in intubated patients and in those in whom it was necessary to undergo a tracheostomy procedure, significantly reducing the cases of contamination. Now, we are adapting to patients linked to mechanical ventilation because of the covid-19, ”said the coordinator of the Hospital Dentistry Committee of the CFO, Keller De Martini, to Agência Brasil.
The manual developed by the CFO and Amibi was created from the review of scientific articles that cover “the main successful points for the implementation of this type of procedure”, explains the president of the Amibi Department of Dentistry, Alessandra Figueiredo de Souza.
According to the dental surgeon at the Risoleta Tolentino Neves Hospital (HRTN), in Belo Horizonte (MG), to date, due to the high demand for professionals in the midst of the pandemic, there are no completed studies that scientifically prove the good results obtained at from the application of this procedure in patients with the new coronavirus. “But, historically, this protocol has reduced between 50% and 60% the other contamination by pneumonias such as bacterial ones”, he said.
Acting on the front line to combat the pandemic, Keller De Martins says he realizes that the adoption of this protocol has shown excellent results, with about 40% of intubated patients showing some improvement. “It is something to be celebrated if we consider that about 80% of patients who go to ICUs due to covid-19 end up going to death, and that the survival of the others ends up, in many cases, with sequelae”, he argues.
According to the dental surgeon, most hospitals have already adopted the protocol. However, it reinforces the urgency for the procedure to be adopted in all ICUs, as a way of minimizing death rates.
“It is essential that hospitals have dental surgeons in their multidisciplinary teams to deal with covid-19. Preferably, professionals with qualifications in hospital dentistry ”, says the president of Amibi, when suggesting that, if hospitals need help with the implementation of this protocol, contact professional associations such as the CFO and Amibi.
Sanitation
De Martini and Alessandra add that oral hygiene is also indicated for cases in which the disease is not in its most serious version, in order to reduce the viral load in the body.
“We also advocate that even non-contaminated people pay close attention to oral hygiene, even brushing their tongues,” adds CFO’s Martini, while also suggesting the use of mouthwash. “Remember: the main entry of this virus is through the air, through the oral cavity”.
The two dental surgeons heard by Agency Brazil are at the forefront of fighting the pandemic. Both say they are perplexed to see so many people unconcerned with what is happening, to the point of not wearing a mask even in crowded environments.
“We see teams that are constantly working, including putting their own lives at risk to save lives. There are doctors who are living in the hospital to dedicate themselves fully to this struggle, because the number of professionals available in the ICUs is insufficient ”, said De Martini.
Deaths
“In addition, there are also other key professionals for this fight [nos hospitais]. Whether in the cleaning area or in the security area; speech therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists. Each doing their part. It is, in fact, very frustrating to see, when we travel to recharge batteries in our homes, so much ignorance in the streets and so many people saying that this disease is an invention ”. “The truth is that this disease is killing more and more and tearing more and more families,” he added.
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