[Dysphagia] Dental Plaque Linked to Pneumonia

[WINTER at whidbey.net (Judith Winter)]

Would this [importance of additional attention to dental hygiene, to 
reduce pneumonia risk] also be relevant for aspiration pneumonia ? 
What about for the similar-sounding pneumnitis?  (Irene, is it time 
for us to have a "varieties of pneumo lesson" again? Thanks.)

--Judith


>http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=541&ncid=751&e=10&u=/ap/2004
>1202/ap_on_he_me/plaque_pneumonia
>
>
>Dental Plaque Linked to Pneumonia
>
>Thu Dec 2, 5:11 AM ET
>Health - AP
>By CAROLYN THOMPSON, Associated Press Writer
>
>BUFFALO, N.Y. - Better oral hygiene, including good regular toothbrushing,
>may lessen nursing home residents' chances of developing pneumonia,
>according to a study which traced germs from dental plaque to the lungs of
>patients with the potentially fatal illness.
>
>Dr. Ali El-Solh, lead author of the study published in the November issue of
>the journal Chest, said the findings "indicate that dental plaque is a
>reservoir of respiratory pathogens" that can be inhaled into the lungs and
>lead to pneumonia.
>
>The University at Buffalo researcher...
>
>... Dr. Jack Caton, past president of the American Academy of 
>Periodontology...
>
>... intensive care ... plaque was tested upon admission and the patients
>were watched for signs of pneumonia.
>
>... developed pneumonia ... bacteria in the lung fluid of those 
>patients matched
>the bacteria found in their dental plaque when they were admitted.
>
>"This really made the case that the bacteria in the mouth precede those that
>you see when the pneumonia sets in ... making the case this is how people
>get pneumonia,"...