Fehder William P
New York University, College of Nursing, New York, NY, USA.
MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2008 Jan-Feb;33(1):38-44. doi: 10.1097/01.NMC.0000305656.86495.e2.
Oral health is receiving increased recognition as an important factor for the health of women and children. This article describes pathological oral conditions and the physiological mechanisms involved in the maintenance of oral health during illness and hospitalization, including the importance of the production and secretion of adequate saliva. Alterations in physiology of saliva induced by hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy are described along with possible roles in pathophysiological conditions associated with pregnancy. The roles of xerostomia and periodontal disease as sources of pathological bacteria involved in aspiration pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and chronic inflammation are described. The bidirectional interaction between oral health and general overall health is described, with special emphasis on cardiovascular disease. Specific evidence-based nursing measures to reduce the complications associated with poor oral health in at-risk patients are provided.
口腔健康作为影响妇女和儿童健康的重要因素，正日益受到重视。本文描述了病理性口腔状况以及疾病和住院期间维持口腔健康所涉及的生理机制，包括唾液分泌充足的重要性。文中阐述了孕期激素变化引起的唾液生理改变及其在与妊娠相关病理状况中的可能作用。还描述了口干症和牙周病作为吸入性肺炎、呼吸机相关性肺炎及慢性炎症中病原菌来源的作用。本文阐述了口腔健康与整体健康之间的双向相互作用，特别强调了心血管疾病。还提供了基于证据的具体护理措施，以减少高危患者因口腔健康不良而引发的并发症。
