How going to the dentist can ward off pneumonia

AVOIDING the dentist could almost double your risk of getting pneumonia, scientists have discovered.

Those who failed to have their teeth and gums checked were found to be 86 per cent more likely to contract the disease.

US experts believe this happens when bacteria in the mouth, which is more likely to thrive in people with poor dental health, is inhaled.

Dental check-ups twice a year could protect people by keeping bad bacteria such as streptococcus under control. The research follows

Risk of respiratory failure and death

evidence that brushing your teeth properly cuts the risk of heart attack and strokes.

Michelle Doll, assistant professor of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, said: ‘There is a well-documented connection between oral health and pneumonia, and dental visits are important in maintaining oral health. We can never rid the mouth of bacteria altogether, but good oral hygiene can limit the quantities of bacteria present.’

The latest research backs up a study by Yale University that put bad dental hygiene among the top risks for pneumonia. The Virginia Commonwealth University researchers examined medical records of more than 26,000 people.

They found 441 had bacterial pneumonia, with those who had never had a dental check-up 86 per cent more likely to have the disease than people who saw a dentist every six months.

Pneumonia, usually caused by a bacterial infection, is a swelling of the tissue in one or both lungs.

It leaves patients with a hacking cough and fighting to breathe – and can even lead to respiratory failure and death. Not brushing or flossing properly may lead to pneumonia when mouth bacteria is inhaled, but also when food goes down the wrong way, or during choking.

This is more common among older people with swallowing problems, putting them at greater risk of pneumonia.

Hospital patients are also more likely to breathe in bacteria.

Meanwhile, gum disease is believed to change the make-up of saliva, which makes it less able to defend against disease.

The way in which oral bacteria can cause pneumonia is not fully understood, but the finds are important because 220,000 people in Britain get the disease every year, with almost 29,000 dying. Bacteria that commonly cause pneumonia include streptococcus, haemophilus, staphylococcus, and anaerobic bacteria.

Dr Doll, who presented her findings at the annual IDWeek conference in New Orleans, added: ‘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.’

It comes after news last week that an anti-plaque toothpaste could help prevent heart attacks and strokes almost as well as statins.