Visiting the dentist twice a year can significantly reduce the risk of contracting pneumonia, according to new research being presented at IDWeek 2016 in New Orleans Oct. 26-30.
Individuals can accidently inhale bacterial microbes from the mouth into the lungs, which can cause disease under certain circumstances, particularly among those with weakened immune systems like the elderly.
For the study, researchers analyzed data on more than 26,000 people from the 2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, which inquired about healthcare utilization, including dental care. More than 400, or 1.68 percent, of those surveyed had bacterial pneumonia. Analysis revealed those who never received dental checkups had an 86 percent increased risk of pneumonia than those who had checkups bi-annually.
"We can never rid the mouth of bacteria altogether, but good oral hygiene can limit the quantities of bacteria present," said Michelle Doll, MD, lead author of the study and assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of infectious disease at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. "Our study provides further evidence that oral health is linked to overall health, and suggests that it's important to incorporate dental care into routine preventive healthcare."
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