The most common causes of lawsuits against nursing homes are negligence and lack of proper hygiene. Poor hygiene can cause germs and bacteria to spread, leaving residents at risk of disease and infection. Lack of oral hygiene in nursing homes is a problem near epidemic status. Brushing your teeth twice a day is an indispensable health habit that affects more than just your teeth. The state of your oral health plays a role in optimizing your overall health and well-being. But according to a recent study, only 10.3% of patients who were admitted to a nursing home over a five-year period utilized dental services in the nursing home at least once while they were there.

While you probably know that skipping brushes can lead to stained teeth and bad breath, there are other serious health problems that can also arise from lack of oral hygiene. Research has shown that bacteria are able to first stick to the teeth before being inhaled into the lungs. This is especially true for patients with a weakened immune system who are vulnerable. In one study, researchers found that bacteria cultured from the lungs of hospitalized patients diagnosed with pneumonia were an identical match to bacteria cultured from the patients’ teeth.

The bacteria that can arise from lack of oral care may be resistant to antibiotics and can often lead to infections. Oral hygiene has been overlooked in both nursing homes and hospitals for decades. Research has shown that ignoring oral hygiene may increase your risk of a long list of disease, including pneumonia, lung disease, diabetes, stroke and heart disease, in addition to oral health issues such as bad breath, stained teeth, cavities, tooth decay and gum disease.

Tips to help care for your teeth include:

• Brush for at least two minutes

• Do not keep your toothbrush for longer than three months

• Use a soft or extra soft toothbrush

• Brush in a circular motion at a 45-degree angle

• Do not brush more than twice a day or apply too much pressure