The Role Of An Oral Suction Machine In Dental And Medical Procedures
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 65% adults in the US took a dental visit. Among them, many are prescribed to undergo different procedures that involve minor surgeries, tooth extractions, bone grafting, etc. In such situations, the patients are asked to control their swallowing reflex to prevent the entry of excess saliva or debris into the airway passage so that the risk of choking can be minimized. Here, the role of oral suction machines becomes significant.
Oral suctioning during dental procedures provides a clear field of view
In this article, we will learn about oral suction machines in terms of their use in several dental and medical procedures. In addition, some of the well-known suction machine brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.
What are Oral Suction Machines?
An oral suction machine or an aspirator is a device employed for the removal of air as well as excess secretions from the oral cavity or throat. These include mucus, saliva, or even blood that hinders respiration by causing choking. The process involves inserting a rigid plastic-based suction catheter, called Yankauer catheter, into the patient’s windpipe through oral cavity.
The end of the suction catheter is covered with the thumb, and suctioning is started. The procedure is considered necessary for patients who are elderly, have an impaired cough reflex, or experience difficulty in swallowing, etc.
Role of Oral Suction Machines in Dental Procedures
Suctioning is required during most dental procedures for many different reasons. Some of the benefits that are achieved by using oral suction machines are as follows:
Removal of Saliva
When an oral procedure is conducted, the release of excess saliva is common to occur. This saliva builds up to result in the watering of the oral cavity, which impacts the strength of the bonding agents applied or being applied to the teeth. As a result, the procedure does not provide much benefit. Hence, the importance of keeping the mouth dry during dental checkup or surgeries is essential.
To do so, oral suction machines are used that suck this excess saliva out of the oral cavity and, therefore, provide a clear surgical field. In addition, these suctioning systems also remove aerosols as well as surgical debris from the mouth that are often associated with dental surgeries.
Protection of the Airways
Where most people undergo dental procedures while being awake, some prefer being under the effect of general anesthesia, primarily due to dental anxiety. Being under anesthesia is also beneficial when procedures like complex implants and extractions are to be conducted.
Here, oral suction tubes not only ensure a clear field of view but also keep the airway passage clear and unobstructed. Additionally, some patients also experience sudden vomiting or bleeding while a dental procedure is being conducted, which can be sucked out quickly by using an oral suction machine.
Prevention of Choking and Aspiration
In some cases, the presence of a foreign object in the airways results in the production of excess saliva. This saliva increases the risk of choking while the patient is on the treatment chair. Here, oral suction machines are employed to remove this extra saliva, leading to enhanced patient safety.
This method is particularly useful for child patients as they tend to have lesser control over their swallowing. Additionally, dental procedures are also associated with the accumulation of debris in the oral cavity that can be taken in by the patients as a result of an urge to swallow. This is also critical as a choking hazard becomes inevitable if the debris is not cleared out in a timely manner.
Increased Patient Comfort and Safety
Another benefit of using oral suction machines during dental procedures is to keep the patient comfortable. As they are unable to swallow saliva until the process completes, drooling is common, that makes people uncomfortable and gagging. Therefore, by clearing out this extra saliva from time to time, patient safety and ease are enhanced.
Excess saliva during oral procedures increases the risk of choking
Role of Oral Suction Machines in Medical Procedures
When it comes to medical procedures, keeping the airways clean and unobstructed reflects high patient safety. This is because unobstructed airway passage leads to unhindered breathing that ensures that the patient is getting enough oxygen to support their bodily needs. Some of the benefits of using oral suction machines in medical procedures are as follows:
Achievement of Clear Airways
During certain emergencies, patients experience troubled breathing either due to a medical condition or a traumatic injury that affected the facial region. The reason behind this respiratory hindrance is often associated with the buildup of excess saliva or mucus in the windpipe. In addition, the presence of blood can also lead to obstruction of the airway passage that, in turn, restricts the free entry of oxygen into the lungs.
By employing an oral suction machine, the oropharyngeal route (mouth and throat) is cleared. The device creates a suctioning effect by generating negative pressure that forces the semi-solid or solid material to come out of the windpipe. The method is particularly useful for patients who are pediatric, elderly, or have an impaired sense of coughing, a natural process that leads to airway clearance.
Prevention of Aspiration
As the oral suction machines keep the airway passage clear and unobstructed, they help prevent pulmonary aspiration, a condition associated with the entry of a foreign object into the lungs, leading to serious complications.
Management of Emergency Situations
In case of a patient suffering from an emergency situation that involves the blockage of the airway passage, restoring the respiration is the primary concern. For instance, during seizures or a physical trauma, the windpipe often gets blocked by blood or the position of the tongue. In such situations, portable oral suction machines are used by the first responders to unblock the airways. This way, breathing can be made normal and the patient’s condition often stabilize.
Enhanced Patient Comfort
Another advantage of oral suction machines is that they help increase breathing comfort among people who are suffering from chronic respiratory conditions, like cystic fibrosis, neuromuscular fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc. As these diseases make breathing difficult, either due to impaired swallowing or excessive mucus production, clearing the airways by using oral suction machines is the best management option.
Oral suction machines are useful during almost all dental and medical procedures conducted orally
Suction Machines at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
The use of oral suction machines during dental and medical procedures is helpful for many reasons, including achieving a clear field of view, reducing the risk of choking, and keeping the airway passage clear and unobstructed. This way, the overall patient safety is enhanced.
However, when it comes to learning about oral suction machines, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known suction machine brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
Drive Medical 18600 Suction Pump Portable Home Heavy Duty Aspirator Machine ~NIB
US$279.99
Product Details
Drive Medical 18600 portable home heavy duty suction pumps are the products used for clearing out the airways. These are one of the best suction machine brands as they offer multiple options when it comes to choosing a vacuum pressure, the maximum of which can be set at 560 mm Hg. The device is also easy to operate and portable due to its smaller size.
Moreover, these Drive Medical 18600 portable home heavy duty suction pumps have an anti-vibration vacuum technology that keeps the device steady when suctioning is being performed. Furthermore, to prevent the system from overflowing or accidental spillage, an overflow lid has been affixed.
Drive Medical 22330 Universal Suction Machine Tubing and Filter Replacement Kit with Canister Pack of 1
US$28.49
Product Details
Drive Medical 22330 Universal suction machine tubing and filter replacement kits contain tubing and disposable holding canisters that have a capacity of 800 cc. The tubing acts as a bridge between the collection canister and the vacuum pump and has a length of 10 inches. The universal elbow connector at the end of the tube allows its attachment with almost all kinds of oral suction machines.
Moreover, these Drive Medical 22330 Universal suction machine tubing and filter replacement kits also come with a hydrophobic filter with an aim to prevent the material backflow into the suction machine.
Busse Frazier Suction Tip 163
Product Details
Busse Frazier 163 suction tips are the products that come with a removable stylet. These enable the healthcare provider to operate the system single-handedly and achieve two kinds of suctioning i.e., intermittent as well as continuous suctioning. In addition, the product also allows a stronger grip that leads to better control during employment. This way, the risk of slippage is also effectively minimized.
As these Busse Frazier 163 suction tips are sterile, they do not pose the risk of contamination or infection to the patients during dental procedures. The size of the product is 10 French (10Fr). Being bendable systems, these suction tips can be twisted as well to allow access to deeper tissues. Each case of Busse Frazier 163 suction tips contains 50 items and you can get 5 cases in one pack.
Medline Sterile Flexible Yankauer with Flange Tip Fine Capacity No Vent (DYND50144)
Product Details
Medline sterile flexible Yankauer suction tips have a simple construction and are suitable for conducting procedures related to the oral cavity and pharynx. The flange tip of the product is smooth and has a uniform inner surface to ensure that the suctioning is done quickly and with high efficacy.
Moreover, these Medline sterile flexible Yankauer suction tips are transparent in their construction, which allows the healthcare providers to look into their contents. Owing to their ribbed 5-in-1 connector, these suction tips can be attached to suction instruments of different kinds. Furthermore, their slip-resistant design also ensures a stronger grip.
Medline Sterile Rigid Bulb Tip Yankauer with 6ft Tubing (DYND50135)
Product Details
Medline sterile rigid bulb tip Yankauer suction tips are considered ideal products when it comes to conducting different dental procedures. Their 6-foot-long flexible tubing allows the healthcare providers to move around while conducting the process. Additionally, the device has a non-slip grip to provide a stronger grip.
Moreover, these Medline sterile rigid bulb tip Yankauer suction tips do not pose any risk of contamination or infection to the patients due to their sterile nature. Being transparent in appearance, the contents of the tips can also be visualized.
*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Regular oral suctioning makes the dental procedures quicker
The products linked in the article, while learning about oral suction machines, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of healthcare products.
Conclusion
When a dental or medical procedure is to be conducted through the oral route, the risk of blocking the airway passage due to the swallowing reflex is always a risk. In addition, trauma or lung diseases that tend to obstruct the airway passage also push the patient towards hindered breathing.
In this regard, oral suction machines can be employed to clear the blood, vomit, mucus, saliva, or any other foreign material from the airways, leading to unrestricted breathing. Additionally, the use of these systems during dental procedures is helpful to achieve a clear field of view that elevates the overall accuracy of the process.
Considering their importance, oral suction machines should be kept in healthcare facilities to accommodate the patients in need. For purchasing different kinds of medical devices, including oral suction machines, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
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