Oral Hygiene
In the absence of reliable evidence linking poor oral health to prosthetic joint infection, it is the opinion of the work group that patients with prosthetic joint implants or other orthopaedic implants maintain appropriate oral hygiene.

Rationale
The lack of evidence relating oral bacteremias to prosthetic joint or other orthopaedic implant infections is the basis for the consensus rationale for this recommendation.

Oral hygiene measures are low cost, provide potential benefit, are consistent with current practice, and are in accordance with good oral health.

There is evidence of the relationship of oral microflora to bacteremia. This bacteremia may be associated with poor oral hygiene. This implies that improvement of oral hygiene (or maintenance of good oral hygiene) may be beneficial in reducing bacteremias.