Effect of Sponge Brush Wiping in the Oral Hygiene Care of Dependent Elderly

Abstract

　Oral care scatters bacteria in the oral cavity. Therefore, an important procedure of oral care is to eliminate residual contaminants, although there is no standardized method. In this study, we investigated whether wiping with a sponge brush after oral cleaning using suction is an effective procedure to improve oral health. The subjects were 62 elderly requiring care who were hospitalized in a sanatorium type of medical care facility. Professional oral care was provided by dental hygienists after lunch. Bacteria on the dorsal surface of the tongue were gathered at three time points：before oral cleaning, just after oral cleaning before wiping with a sponge brush, and after wiping with a sponge brush. The number of bacteria was analyzed by the Rapid Oral Bacteria Quantification System（Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan）. The number of bacteria counted at the three time points changed significantly. Wiping with a sponge brush significantly decreased the bacteria count after oral cleaning using suction. The number of bacteria before oral care was larger in the non-oral intake group and in the group with 10 or more remaining teeth. In the groups with a high number of bacteria, the bacteria count decreased in steps. In the groups with a low number of bacteria, the bacteria count temporarily increased after oral cleaning but decreased by wiping with a sponge brush. These results suggest that wiping with a sponge brush after oral cleaning using suction can be an effective procedure for eliminating residual contaminants.