Dirty Teeth Can Kill You, U.S. Study Shows

[Squatch]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&ncid=594&e=1&u=/nm/20041130/hl_nm/health_infections_dc

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Germs found in dental plaque can make their way into the lungs and cause potentially fatal pneumonia in elderly nursing home patients, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

Though the study was small, the researchers said they found clear evidence in eight patients who developed pneumonia while in the hospital that had originated from their own dental plaque.


"This is the first study to establish unequivocally a link between dental hygiene and respiratory infection," said Dr. Ali El-Solh of the University at Buffalo in New York, who led the study.

[Eurobabe]

1. not to mention those around you....

he-he...

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. nah i have good saliva

[LisaLynne]

3. Ok, that totally freaked me out. Thanks a lot. nt

[trotsky]

4. Isn't it also related to heart disease?

I seem to recall reading something about the immune system getting confused between certain bacteria in plaque and heart tissue.

[drbtg1]

7. Depends on what aspects of heart disease

There is certainly a link between bacterial endocarditis and certain health conditions such as mitral valve prolapse and certain heart murmurs. If you're refering to coronary atherosclerosis, research is ongoing.

However, the logic pursued here is this: Bacteria that resides in every person's mouth is normal to have in the oral cavity but not in other places in the body. Thus, scientists wonder if that bacteria can cause harm if relocated. We know it causes problems for people with recently placed artificial joints, for instance.

Ultimately, why take a chance? Make sure those teeth AND gums are healthy. Unhealthy gums bleed more easily and thus allow bacteria to more readily enter the blood.

(...yeah, I'm a dentist.)

[tridim]

5. Well it's official now.. Everything can kill you

Just brush your teeth and don't worry about it.

[Cobalt Violet]

6. Nursing home workers have such heavy work loads.

If they don't even have time to get and give a thirsty person a glass of water how are they ever suppose to be dental hygenist. Plus they don't get paid nearly what a dental hygenist gets.

"Nursing homes need to help patients maintain clean teeth and dentures, he added."

[drbtg1]

8. I don't see what hygienists and their pay has to do with this.

People should see a dental hygienist at least twice a year to remove calculus (among other things) that just won't be removed by daily brushing.

But the dental plaque, where the relevant bacteria usually is in a person with healthy gums, needs to be brushed away at least twice a day (floss at least once a day, preferably before bed). That's not the job of a hygienist.

I know nursing home workers are overburdened, but the job has to go to someone with daily interaction with the patient if the patient can't handle it themselves.

[Cobalt Violet]

9. More workers are needed.

If the care is need then more workers are need to provide the care. This is not likely to happen. Nursing home are for profit businesses. The way that nursing homes are staffed now it is unrealist to expect that this will get done. Most workers already have to cut corners the shouldn't be cut. The residents and the workers are the ones who pay the price.

[TO Kid]

10. This is nothing new

Different mechanism but same end result. Prior to the twentieth century a toothache could be fatal (and an excruciating way to go); once an infection in the root got into the sinus it was game over. Oral hygiene, cheaper and better dental work and antibiotics reduced the danger to the point where dental problems are bothersome but not life-threatening.

[xpunkisneatx]

11. This happened in the ICU i work in...

A man went to the dentist to get a cavity filled...bacteria got in a cut in his gums. It spread to his blood, causing him to become septic. He died from septic shock which caused multi-system organ failure. Scary huh?