Simple toothbrushing may cut ventilator pneumonia risk

NCT ID NCT06039995

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed study tested whether adding toothbrushing and oral gel to standard chlorhexidine mouthwash could prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in 100 ICU patients. The intervention group received comprehensive oral care, while the control group got mouthwash alone. Researchers measured VAP rates, ICU stay length, and mortality to see if the extra steps made a difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Chlorhexidine mouthwash, toothbrushing, and oral gel

What this could lead to

If effective, this simple oral care routine could become a standard way to prevent pneumonia in ICU patients on ventilators.

What could go wrong

This is a small, single-center trial with 100 patients, so results may not apply to all ICU settings. The intervention adds steps to care without strong proof yet.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for PNEUMONIA, VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

pneumonia Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Services Hospital

    Lahore, Pakistan

  • University of Health Sciences

    Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan