[DYSPHAGIA] Saliva

[eripley@yahoo.com (Irene Campbell-Taylor)]

Terese
Attempts to eliminate saliva are never a good idea,
partly for the reason you state but also because,
without saliva to swallow, GER is either exacerbated
or created - esophageal clearance depending on the
constant swallowing of saliva, that also neutralizes
any small amount of stomach acid that may find its way
into the distal esophagus.
Aspiration of saliva cannot be prevented, therefore
the only thing one can do is to keep the mouth as
clean as possible and to make sure that the really
vicious bacteria are kept under control
Saliva is the primary means of keeping the mouth clean
and xerostomia promotes caries and gum disease.
Therefore, the mouth must be kept both clean and moist
in order to minimize the risk of nosocomial pneumonia.
Irene.

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www.dricampbell-taylor.com

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