I Clean teeth protect against pneumonia. The surprising news comes from a study by the prestigious research center of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in the United States.
The researchers found that Correct oral hygiene reduces the risk of developing the dangerous lung infection among hospitalized people. This is a meta analysis: the working group analyzed the results of fifteen studies carried out in the past on the topic. You can read the study in the scientific journal Jama Internal Medicine.
Why do clean teeth protect against pneumonia?
In most cases the bacteria enter through the mouth and nose and then reach the lungs. We know that frail people are particularly at risk because their immune systems are weak. During hospitalization, the chances of having an infection often increase. Brushing your teeth is an excellent way without side effects to reduce the amount of bacteria in the oral cavity, and therefore also in the lungs.
The researchers observed over 2,700 patients. By comparing the data, the experts compared those who had correct oral hygiene and those who neglected cleaning their teeth. The result left no room for doubt.
The results of the study carried out in the United States
Those who cleaned their teeth properly had a much lower risk of getting one pneumonia during hospitalization. But there’s more. Those who brush their teeth correctly also lower mortality rates even when hospitalized in intensive care units. The best rates were recorded among those on mechanical ventilation.
Clean teeth protect against pneumonia: effective, economical and without side effects
The research team said they were amazed by the results, because does not exist in the field of hospital preventive medicine, a remedy that is both economical and effective at the same time. Prevention works so well that researchers say that patients admitted to intensive care who are unable to brush their teeth due to their health conditions should be assisted by a caregiver.
This is not the first study to link correct oral hygiene with health. For years, scientists have been pointing out that brushing your teeth well also lowers the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.