Periodontist On Long Island Discuss Connection of Oral Bacteria and Pneumonia
Thursday, January 19th, 2012Everyone can tell you the risks of tooth decay and gum disease if they ignore proper oral hygiene practices. From as early as our toddler years we’ve heard from parents, teachers, doctors and dentists how important it was for our smile to maintain good oral hygiene. But many of us will recall a warning of oral health and increased risks of pneumonia.
Periodontists on Long Island disclose that recent studies not only link oral bacteria associated with gum disease to diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease but also show a direct link the development of pneumonia.
A study at Yale University School of Medicine noted a change in mouth bacteria of hospital patients preceding the development of pneumonia. What this tells doctors and dental practitioners is that the state of their patient’s mouths could prove to be a risk factor for pneumonia and other lung disease.
Healthy Mouth Healthy Lungs
This information couldn’t come at a better time than now. With the cold months of winter the number of patients presenting with respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia are always at an undesired high. The use of vaccines and education has long been the medical field’s efforts to reduce risks of infection. Now they happily add oral hygiene to their arsenal.
Maintaining good oral hygiene can be as simple as:
- Brushing twice a day for a full two minutes using fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing at least once a day to remove food from between your teeth
- Cut back on sugary and acidic foods and drinks
- See your dentist every 6 months for a regular check up and professional cleaning
While oral hygiene alone may not guarantee you’ll remain free of respiratory disease it’s certainly worth your efforts to give that added step in prevention.
If you would like to consult with a Periodontist on Long Island to discuss the health of your teeth and gums contact Dr. Scharf (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. He’s skilled in the early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease using a laser, not a scalpel and he’s available to answer your questions.

