@lummy
I was getting aspiration pneumonia like it seemed for the last 2yrs. since my tongue cancer surgery and actually one time had to go into the hospital as the infection was so bad, I was having a hard time breathing and they took 7 liters (not a typo) of infection out of my lung cavity. So, I did a lot of research and yes, my speech-language therapist too mentioned the brushing before meals and afterward too, but a lot can happen at night when you are sleeping and might not know you are still aspirating on your own salvia. I also saw a pulmonologist.

So, here is what I started this year 1/01/26 and so far, it seems to be working, and I feel my lungs getting stronger and hardly any or no mucus in the morning when I awake. I make 2 cups of warm water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and shake it well in a small container. Before each meal, I pour some of the mix into a clean glass and swish in my mouth and gargle and spit it out. After the meal, I will floss my teeth and leave out my mix to use before other meals of the day or in between if I sense some congestion and at night put the leftover into the fridge. The mixture will last a few days and when it runs out, I make a new one.

At bedtime, I will brush my teeth and floss and use Listerine Total Care NON-ALCOHOL mouthwash. I try not to eat anything 2-3 hours before bedtime to help prevent any acid-reflux issue which I have never been diagnosed for or take any medication for it, but pulmonologist mentioned that some people don't realize they can have some form of it when sleeping and head & neck cancer patients will be more prone to it. With that info. I also try to start sleeping on my left side which also helps being preventative. In addition, I have an ergonomic pillow which I put on top of an adjustable wedge pillow so I'm at least 30 degrees which is about 6-8 inches above the mattress. To prevent hip and lower back strain I added a knee pillow (as seen on TV) for between the knees for alignment.

The goal of this nighttime setup is to reduce nighttime aspiration, reflux, mucus buildup, lung infections especially aspiration pneumonia, and improve morning coughing. I can tell you, within 6-7 days of doing all of this, I was in a lot better place, and I can take way deeper breathes with my lungs now without coughing or hearing any wheezing and just feel plain better health wise.

Good luck on your journey.

@lummy I second that suggestion from @hrhwilliam. I run an ultrasonic humidifier beside the bed all winter. It really cuts down on the coughing from dryness. I also use the dry mouth disks Xylimelts which stimulate saliva production all night long. That helps the dry mouth if you notice that as well.