Pneumonia and dental caries

U.S. researchers said recently in dental caries were found on the body of the bacteria can enter the lungs so that the elderly may be suffering from the deadly pneumonia.

Despite the study's small size, but researchers said that their 8 patients found conclusive evidence to prove that their pneumonia is caused by dental.

Buffalo, New York, researchers at the University of 49 living in an apartment in elderly patients who were examined, these elderly people often go to a nearby hospital, which belongs to the Hospital of pneumonia in high-risk areas. In these elderly people suffering from pneumonia before, the researchers carried out their mouth bacteria sample found that 28 samples contained bacteria which can cause respiratory diseases. Then they have carried out a follow-up of the elderly, to observe closely whether they are infected with pneumonia. Finally, there are 14 people infected with the pneumonia, in which 10 of mouth bacteria samples containing the bacteria can cause respiratory diseases. Detection of bacteria in the lungs showed that 8 of the elderly lung bacterial DNA and their oral bacteria DNA match.

The researchers said that this shows that dental caries is a breeding ground for respiratory tract disease, can live in the area of health care for the elderly suffering from pneumonia. As a result, the elderly should be kept clean teeth and dentures.