Oral health and respiratory pathogens causing pneumonia

Institutionalized patients ’ mortality from pneumonia is reportedly as much as 41%, with the primary mechanism believed to be direct aspiration of bacteria colonizing the oral cavity into the lungs. Patients with poor dental or oral health and therefore a higher bacterial load are at a higher risk for developing bacteremia and developing infection in distant sites. Respiratory pathogens flourish in the dental biofilm, making its presence a particular risk factor in the development of pneumonia and other problems.
Source: Dental Abstracts - Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research