Oral Hygiene Care and Microflora in Elderly Residents

Objective: The effect of weekly professional oral care on the composition of the oral flora in dentate, dependent elderly residents was followed during a 12-month period. Background: Long-term, regular professional oral hygiene care reduces the total number of microorganisms and oral disease-related microorganisms. Less is known about the effect on the quality/composition of the remaining oral flora. Materials and methods: Thirty-three subjects were included in the study group and 35 in the control group. Dental status, presence of supragingival-plaque, labial minor gland secretion rate, and prescription medicines were recorded. Microbial samples, collected from supragingival plaque and the dorsum of the tongue, were analyzed using cultivation technique.