Relation Between Oral Health and Pneumonia

Elders are usually susceptible to a number of health issues. Poor oral health and hygiene are major risk factors for many health issues including pneumonia among the elderly. Pneumonia is a common lung infection that is caused by a virus and has symptoms that can vary from mild to severe. The treatment for pneumonia varies widely depending on the age and other factors of an individual. 

Research studies around the world have established that those who wear dentures at night are also at an increased risk of pneumonia. Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore the smiles of individuals. Health professionals around the world have therefore recommended that denture wearing during sleep be discouraged in geriatric patients.

According to the research study, patients who wore their dentures during sleep were at a threefold risk of pneumonia compared with those who removed their dentures at night. In addition, the researchers also found tongue and denture plaque and periodontal inflammation in the participants who wore dentures during sleep. In the research, the patients were monitored for a three year period, where almost fifty events associated with pneumonia were identified and it was found that among 453 denture wearers, 186 people who wore their dentures during sleep were at a higher risk for pneumonia than those who removed the dentures at night. When dentures were worn 24/7, oral bacteria reproduction was happening on a continual basis.

In addition to the risk of pneumonia, it can lead to other problems including, halitosis, which is a common problem for denture wearers. The material that forms the gum portion of dentures is porous and provides a dark, warm and moist breeding area for the bacteria. Oral bacteria growth leads to the formation of plaque and bad breath. Wearing dentures places pressure on the upper jaws and the lower jaws, which causes the bones to shrink. Wearing dentures all day and night creates continual pressure, which accelerates the rate of bone loss.

Loose dentures can also create sore spots on the tender gum tissue. Dentures can also place stress on the facial muscles and oral tissue, which can lead to pain and soreness in the mouth that tends to worsen throughout the day. Therefore it is important to get a proper consultation with the dentists who would give proper guidance to the individuals going in for various treatments at clinics such as Dentzz Dental.

Dentzz Dental with it ultramodern equipment, infrastructure and renowned expert professionals ensures that the patients are well briefed and are given extremely good treatments and advice. They are in line with the latest findings in the area of dentistry worldwide, so that patients are well aware of the hygiene standards to be maintained along with their treatments. Cleaning dentures daily should be built in to the care plans for seniors and all denture wearing patients should remove them during their sleep. Such simple modifications could save lives. Dentzz Dental offers a number of services including treatments for fixing dentures and even provides treatments for fixing dental implants.

Article Source; http://bit.ly/1LhpWOs