Patient discussions
The importance of dental prophylaxis and good oral hygiene should be emphasized. Oral care, including a combination of professional cleaning of the oral cavity and gargling of disinfectant solution, can reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria in the oropharyngeal secretions.[28] The patient should remain in an upright or elevated position at least 1 to 2 hours after meals. Older or neurologically impaired people should be advised to eat small meals at a slow pace and of an appropriate consistency to prevent choking or regurgitation.
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