Comparison of Swabs and Toothbrushes in Cleaning the Teeth of Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Cleaning the mouth is difficult in critically ill patients who require support from a breathing machine (ventilator). This is because the plastic (endotracheal) tube which is a necessary interface between patient and ventilator impedes cleaning. New evidence suggests that poor oral health may be linked to ventilator associated pneumonia. Throughout the world both toothbrushes and foam swabs are used to clean the teeth and remove dental plaque, however it is unknown if one method is more effective than the other. The purpose of this study is to establish which (if any) method is most effective at removing plaque in this population of patients.