Smoking Gum Disease

According to a new study, smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful bacteria, leaving smokers more vulnerable to disease.

Despite the daily disturbance of brushing and flossing, the mouth of a healthy person contains a stable ecosystem of healthy bacteria. New research shows that the mouth of a smoker is a much more chaotic, diverse ecosystem – and is much more susceptible to invasion by harmful bacteria.

As a group, smokers suffer from higher rates of oral diseases – especially gum disease – than do nonsmokers, which is a challenge for dentists, according to Purnima Kumar, assistant professor of periodontology at Ohio State University. She and her colleagues are involved in a multi-study investigation of the role the body’s microbial communities play in preventing oral disease.

“The smoker’s mouth kicks out the good bacteria, and the pathogens are called in,” said Kumar. “So they’re allowed to proliferate much more quickly than they would in a non-smoking environment.”

The results suggest that dentists may have to offer more aggressive treatment for smokers and would have good reason to suggest quitting smoking, Kumar said.

“A few hours after you’re born, bacteria start forming communities called biofilms in your mouth,” said Kumar. “Your body learns to live with them, because for most people, healthy biofilms keep the bad bacteria away.”

She likens a healthy biofilm to a lush, green lawn of grass. “When you change the dynamics of what goes into the lawn, like too much water or too little fertilizer,” she said, “you get some of the grass dying, and weeds moving in.” For smokers, the “weeds” are problem bacteria known to cause disease.

In a new study, Kumar’s team looked at how these bacterial ecosystems regrow after being wiped away. For 15 healthy nonsmokers and 15 healthy smokers, the researchers took samples of oral biofilms one, two, four and seven days after professional cleaning.

The researchers were looking for two things when they swabbed subjects’ gums. First, they wanted to see which bacteria were present by analyzing DNA signatures found in dental plaque. They also monitored whether the subjects’ bodies were treating the bacteria as a threat. If so, the swab would show higher levels of cytokines, compounds the body produces to fight infection.

The results of the study were published in the journal Infection and Immunity.

“When you compare a smoker and nonsmoker, there’s a distinct difference,” said Kumar. “The first thing you notice is that the basic ‘lawn,’ which would normally contain thriving populations made of a just few types of helpful bacteria, is absent in smokers.”

Severe Gum Disease

The team found that for nonsmokers, bacterial communities regain a similar balance of species to the communities that were scraped away during cleaning. Disease-associated bacteria are largely absent, and low levels of cytokines show that the body is not treating the helpful biofilms as a threat.

“By contrast,” said Kumar, “smokers start getting colonized by pathogens – bacteria that we know are harmful – within 24 hours. It takes longer for smokers to form a stable microbial community, and when they do, it’s a pathogen-rich community.”

Smokers also have higher levels of cytokines, indicating that the body is mounting defenses against infection. Clinically, this immune response takes the form of red, swollen gums – called gingivitis – that can lead to the irreversible bone loss of periodontitis.

In smokers, however, the body is not just trying to fight off harmful bacteria. The types of cytokines in smokers’ gum swabs showed the researchers that smokers’ bodies were treating even healthy bacteria as threatening.

Although they do not yet understand the mechanisms behind these results, Kumar and her team suspect that smoking is confusing the normal communication that goes on between healthy bacterial communities and their human hosts.

Practically speaking, these findings have clear implications for patient care, according to Kumar.

“It has to drive how we treat the smoking population,” she said. “They need a more aggressive form of treatment, because even after a professional cleaning, they’re still at a very high risk for getting these pathogens back in their mouths right away.

“Dentists don’t often talk to their patients about smoking cessation,” she continued. “These results show that dentists should take a really active role in helping patients to get the support they need to quit.”

For Kumar, who is a practicing periodontist as well as a teaching professor, doing research has changed how she treats her patients. “I tell them about our studies, about the bacteria and the host response, and I say, ‘Hey – I’m really scared for you.’ Patients have been more willing to listen, and two actually quit.”

Dried Licorice Root

Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice – used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine – that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a study in American Chemical Society’s Journal of Natural Products, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Stefan Gafner and colleagues explain that the dried root of the licorice plant is a common treatment in Chinese traditional medicine, especially as a way to enhance the activity of other herbal ingredients or as a flavoring. Will Twizzlers do the trick? Not exactly. While licorice has long been used in Chinese herbal medicine to aid digestion, most ‘licorice’ candies sold in the West are flavored with anise oil and not licorice root, which has a similar flavor.  Traditional medical practitioners use dried licorice root to treat various ailments, such as respiratory and digestive problems, but few modern scientific studies address whether licorice really works.  To test whether the sweet root could combat the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities, the researchers took a closer look at various substances in licorice.

They found that two of the licorice compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, were the most effective antibacterial substances. These substances killed two of the major bacteria responsible for dental cavities and two of the bacteria that promote gum disease. One of the compounds – licoricidin – also killed a third gum disease bacterium. The researchers say that these substances could treat or even prevent oral infections.

The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 163,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Printing Body Parts

It is amazing to me what technology is capable of, and everyday I learn something that makes me wonder just how close we will actually come to some of the fictitious “marvels” seen on the sci-fi movies.  Space travel, whole body health scanners, robotic arms and limbs. An 83 year old woman who was afflicted with a bone wasting disease that had claimed most of her lower jaw and left her unable to properly eat, or speak was the recipient of the very first 3-D printed jawbone. The jawbone, was made completely of a titanium powder sintered together layer by layer.

The “printing” process used a laser to heat and melt metal powder in the shape of the jawbone. That process, carried out by Belgian manufacturer LayerWise, allowed the 3D printer to sculpt and build up the patient’s medical implant layer by layer. A bioceramic coating ensured that the patient’s body would not reject the implant.

“The new treatment method is a world premiere because it concerns the first patient-specific implant in replacement of the entire lower jaw,” said Jules Poukens, a surgeon at the University Hasselt in Belgium.

After the lower mandible was constructed, it was coated in a biocompatible ceramic and then it was surgically placed during a four-hour surgery. The woman was able to say a few words only hours later. Her new jaw is a bit heavier than her old one, but appears to be well tolerated. She was able to go home just four days later.

Doctors feel as though this opens the door for the technology to allow for custom bone and joint replacements and someday It could pave the way for all kinds of 3-D printed body parts.

Beam Brush

Self monitoring of activity levels using accelerometer activated devices like Striiv and FitBit is all the rage these days, and now the field is expanding into dentistry thanks to the Beam Brush.  The device transmits data about its use via Bluetooth to a matching smartphone app that keeps track of when and for how long the brush was used for. Beam Technologies, a year-old startup, is set to introduce a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush and app that will launch next month. The toothbrush contains a sensor and Bluetooth radio that will send your brushing information to a smartphone app. Later versions will also track how long you spent in certain areas of the mouth and might add some kind of gamification layer to help encourage better brushing.

Alex X. Frommeyer, the CEO and founder of Beam, says the Beam Brush should hit shelves in early March and retail for about $50 for the base and $3 for a replaceable brush head. The Android app is ready, and the iOS app should be ready when the toothbrush launches or soon after. His startup, which is based in Louisville, Ky., is set to close on an initial round of funding in a few weeks. He didn’t disclose the amount but said it is less than $1 million.

The idea for creating a connected toothbrush came from a deeply personal and deeply practical place for Frommeyer. He had long been interested in the ways broadband and connectivity could upend the medical market, and had a personal connection to dentistry thanks to several  family members working in the field. On a practical side, dentistry is an easier entry point into the medical field because the Food and Drug Administration has more lenient rules for approving toothbrushes. They are medical devices, but as long as someone submits the design to the FDA, he can sell it. That means Beam can sell its toothbrush without spending millions and waiting for FDA approval.

Beam Brush

The first generation toothbrush may not appeal to those seeking the ultimate in data on their dental hygiene, as it will consist mostly of letting you track how long and when you brushed your teeth. To jazz up the experience, Frommeyer will let the app play songs and may incorporate a social element or game element into the process. At first this seems bizarre (although maybe not to those people who share their pictures of their dinners), but as a parent I would love one of these things so I can monitor how often my daughter brushes her teeth without standing right there in the bathroom.

Future iterations will also be able to show the user how long they spent in certain areas of the mouth. The sensor works via contact with the mouth, so it registers when the brush is scrubbing your teeth. I’d love for the app to become almost a reward system and prompt for good brushing, so when my daughter (or I) is brushing, the app could play a video or something fun, but if the brushing slacked off or spent too long in one place, the video stopped playing.

Preserve Toothbrush

So the folks at Preserve Products are taking old yogurt cups and using them to make toothbrushes.  Makes sense to me.  The Preserve Toothbrush is priced right (less than $3 each), is good for the environment, is BPA free, and comes with a postage paid mailer to return the toothbrush for another round of recycling.

How much of a difference? Preserve plastic requires:

• At least 54% less water than virgin polypropylene
• At least 64% less greenhouse gases (in CO₂ equivalents) than virgin polypropylene
• At least 75% less oil than virgin polypropylene
• At least 48% less coal than virgin polypropylene
• At least 77% less natural gas than virgin polypropylene
• At least 46% less electricity than virgin polypropylene

Where item(s) can be purchased:Online, Target, Trader Joe’s & Whole Foods Markets

The claim of the product: This toothbrush is the first truly green toothbrush.

The problem the product solves: Preserve, who has been making toothbrushes from recycled yogurt cups since 1997, has partnered with the design firm Continuum, to take their sustainability commitment one step further.

Before working with Continuum, Preserve had been grappling with how to make the toothbrush completely green. After all, how green was this toothbrush though made from recycled yogurt cups, that still ended up in landfill?

Preserve approached Continuum and challenged them to make Preserve toothbrushes even greener by keeping them out of landfills.

Continuum’s response: Eco-friendly packaging and closed loop recycling. Continuum then developed the Mail Back Pack for Preserve.

How the product works:

1. The lightweight biodegradable package encases the toothbrush, protects it during shipments and presents the products at point of sale at retail locations.
2. This also doubles as a return envelope.
3. Consumers simply put their used toothbrush in the envelope and mail it back to Preserve free of charge so it can begin its next life stage.
4. Preserve turns the used toothbrushes into plastic lumber for picnic tables and boardwalks.

What is great about the product:

1. Made from recycled yogurt cups (Handle 100% recycled #5 plastic; bristles new nylon).
2. Cost is on par or less than the average toothbrush.
3. All the features of a regular toothbrush (Easy-to-grip curved handle, Tiered bristles for gentle, thorough cleaning).
4. Completely recyclable after use.
5. The mailback recycling program does not cost the consumer additional money, also not incurring any extra carbon footprint as it is using a service already in existence, the mail.
6. BPA Free.
7. Made in the USA.
8. Available in 5 colors: Grass Green, White, Magenta, Sky Blue, Midnight Blue.
9. Bristles come in: Extra Soft, Soft & Medium.
]]> http://www.wtnperioblog.com/preserve-toothbrush/feed/ 1 http://www.wtnperioblog.com/weight-loss-improves-health-gums/ http://www.wtnperioblog.com/weight-loss-improves-health-gums/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:54 +0000 Dr. Todd Welch http://www.wtnperioblog.com/?p=2128


Gum Disease And Weight Loss

Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers found the human body is better at fighting gum disease when fat cells, which trigger inflammation, disappear.

Findings come from a pilot study of 31 obese people with gum disease. Half of the group with an average body mass index (BMI) of 39 had gastric bypass surgery and had fat cells from the abdomen removed. That half fared better than a control group of obese people with a BMI of 35 who also were treated for gum disease but did not have the gastric bypass surgery or fat removed.

What intrigued the researchers is that the majority of those who underwent surgery had a drop in their glucose levels after the procedure, a result that bodes well for overweight people predisposed to diabetes and insulin-related problems.

All study participants underwent nonsurgical periodontal treatments of scaling/root planing and oral hygiene instructions for home care. While both groups showed improvement, the surgery group did even better on the measures for periodontal attachment, bleeding, probing depths and plaque levels.

Inflammation that continues to brew in the body can have harmful effects over time, and inflammation from gum disease can erode bone and cause tooth loss. It can also cause breaks in the gums where harmful oral bacteria can enter the blood stream. Such bacteria have been linked to preterm birth, fetal death, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, said Nabil Bissada, chair of the department of periodontics at Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine.

Bissada is the lead author of the study, “Response to periodontal therapy in subjects who had weight loss following bariatric surgery and obese counterparts: a pilot study,” published in the Journal of Periodontology.

This study raises two hypotheses about why the surgery group improved.

The first theory is that excessive fat cells (adipocytes) secrete more cytokines (such as TNF and IL-6), which make insulin more resistant to doing its function. As a result, more accumulation of sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia) occurs. Losing weight, therefore, makes insulin less resistant and improves the diabetic status. This in turn helps in the response to periodontal treatment.

The other theory relates to the presence of the leptin hormone that regulates appetite. Leptin plays a role in regulating metabolism and has been linked to inflammation by increasing the production of cytokines and the -C-reactive protein, which is also linked to inflammation. Bissada said leptin production was reduced after bariatric surgery and may be one explanation for the better outcomes in the periodontal treatment.

As the researchers look to the further their research, their next step will be to conduct a longitudinal study to support their preliminary findings.

]]> http://www.wtnperioblog.com/weight-loss-improves-health-gums/feed/ 0 http://www.wtnperioblog.com/dental-hypnosis/ http://www.wtnperioblog.com/dental-hypnosis/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:24:07 +0000 Dr. Todd Welch http://www.wtnperioblog.com/?p=2124


Dental Hypnosis

What if it was possible to undergo a root canal filling or tooth extraction without feeling the pinch of a needle or the after effects of general anesthesia? Hypnosis could uncover a new world for patients seeking dental care.

The soothing voice of your dentist could transport you into a state of mind that allows the dental professional to complete a procedure simple cleaning or a complex procedure that involves oral surgery slip into a state of relaxation.

“Now as I count from one to 10, I can feel myself sinking more and more deeply into the quiet, relaxed, enjoyable feeling. More relaxed with each count.”

Wendy J.N. Lee listens to the words uttered by associate professor Peter Stone, D.D.S., as her body slips into a more comfortable position during a recent visit to the USC School of Dentistry. Lee, a USC cinema graduate student, filmed Stone’s hypnosis techniques for Say Aah, a documentary about her fear of dentistry.

Hypnosis in dentistry was first reported in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. The demise of its practice occurred with Horace Wells in the 19th century, who initiated the use of nitrous oxide and ether during procedures.

In the years that followed, chemicals and general anesthesia became common practice, and hypnosis became a sleepy alternative to sedation.

Today, the USC School of Dentistry is the only dental school in the United States that offers formal training for dental professionals in the use of hypnosis.

Stone, who works in the division of health promotion, disease prevention and epidemiology, teaches “Modern Hypnosis for the 21st Century Dentist.” He has taught the techniques and applications of hypnosis since 1981 for the Southern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis.



Hypnosis

“The time spent learning hypnosis not only makes a visit to the dentist more pleasant for the patient, but it also enhances a practitioner’s productivity, providing a stress-free environment for all,” he says.

“Working with nervous dental patients makes it difficult to carry out our job,” Stone explains. “Dentists by nature, we don’t like to hurt people ¬ we’re trained to bring them relief from pain. When a patient is relaxed and calm, the procedure goes more smoothly and more quickly.”

Hypnosis could be a win-win for both patient and dentist. It’s a less expensive alternative to general or conscious sedation, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

“In the average patient, we can teach them to relax and control their fears 90 percent of the time. In a small group of patients, hypnosis allows them to control pain, bleeding or salivation during a procedure or speed up recovery time,” Stone says.

Stone shares his experience with one patient during oral surgery: “I remember telling my assistant, OIf only John would stop bleeding, I could finish this procedure quicker and remove the root tip causing his pain.’ Instantly my patient stopped bleeding.”

The technique is also used to control gagging, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) or breathing problems. In addition, hypnosis can enhance memory of a pleasant visit to the dentist.

Each year, dentists from across the country and Canada travel to Los Angeles for the two-day hypnosis course taught by Stone at the USC School of Dentistry. The workshop provides dentists with the tools and skills they need to use hypnosis comfortably in their dental practice.

By Monday morning, these dentists are equipped with the knowledge they need to put their patients at ease.

Hala Al-Tarifi, a South Pasadena dentist, shares her experience: “I started implementing hypnosis in my office, and one of my patients slept through a crown prep.”

For more information, visit The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis at http://www.asch.net or the Southern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis at http://www.scsch.camp7.org.

]]> http://www.wtnperioblog.com/dental-hypnosis/feed/ 1 http://www.wtnperioblog.com/brushing-damages-teeth-gums/ http://www.wtnperioblog.com/brushing-damages-teeth-gums/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:20:54 +0000 Dr. Todd Welch http://www.wtnperioblog.com/?p=2114


Brushing Teeth

Using your toothbrush too enthusiastically can permanently damage teeth and gums.  People who brush longer and harder than necessary not only fail to make their teeth cleaner but actually risk harming themselves, a study shows.

When researchers asked people to increase the length of their brushing regime, and the pressure they applied, the removal of bacteria was only improved up to a point.

Beyond that, the risk of causing oral health problems, such as the abrasion of tooth enamel or gums, increases.

The study was carried out by experts from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne’s School of Dental Sciences and the Center for Health Services Research.

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, found that two minutes and 150 grams – about the weight of an orange – was the optimum time and pressure for the average person’s brushing regime.

Twelve volunteers took part in the study, which examined 16 combinations of brushing times and pressures. They used an electric toothbrush wired to a computer that took precise measurements.

Researchers recorded the levels of plaque before and after brushing and found that plaque removal steadily improved as brushing time and pressure were increased.

But their results showed that when people brushed for longer than two minutes, at a pressure higher than 150 grams, they were not removing any extra plaque.

Peter Heasman, professor of periodontology at Newcastle, who led the study, said: ‘Although we found that you have to brush your teeth reasonably long and hard to get rid of the harmful plaque which causes dental diseases, our research shows that once you go beyond a certain point you aren’t being any more effective.

‘You could actually be harming your gums and possibly your teeth. Despite this, anecdotal evidence within the dental profession suggests the majority of the population still believe that the longer and the harder you brush, the better for your teeth it is.

‘The way in which you brush your teeth is just as important, and this goes hand in glove with the time you spend brushing and the pressure you apply to them.’

Some electric toothbrushes contain a timer and provide instructions on how to use them.

]]> http://www.wtnperioblog.com/brushing-damages-teeth-gums/feed/ 1 http://www.wtnperioblog.com/tooth-whitening-tips/ http://www.wtnperioblog.com/tooth-whitening-tips/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:41:58 +0000 Dr. Todd Welch http://www.wtnperioblog.com/?p=2117


Tooth Whitening Safety

To date, there have been no major health problems attributed to tooth whitening products when used as directed. Many studies have confirmed this, and I will share some of these findings with you momentarily. But first it’s worth noting that a scientific understanding of safety is quite different from what consumers think about safety. For consumers, something is safe if it produces absolutely no harm. Scientists, however, recognize that there is nothing that fits this definition. As a Swiss physician and chemist once said, “All substances are poisons and there are none that are not poisons. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy.”

I’m pointing this out because, while whitening products have a very good safety record, it is possible to injure your teeth if you overuse them or use one of poor quality. Take one reported case of a 13-year-old boy who purchased an over-the-counter whitening kit and used it excessively. He sought dental care when his teeth became so sensitive, he couldn’t eat. An examination revealed that the majority of the enamel on his front teeth was gone, exposing the sensitive dentin layer underneath. This case illustrates significant risks of abusing a whitening product, especially when it is of questionable quality.

Tooth whitening has become popular with teenagers, and so far the procedure appears to be safe when used appropriately. However, caution is advised especially for younger teens because they may still have some baby teeth that are being replaced and their yet-to-be-mature adult teeth are relatively vulnerable to the whitening processes.

To ensure the highest standards of safety, I recommend tooth whitening be done under a dentist’s supervision — and after a thorough examination to determine the cause of the discoloration. You’ll want to be sure you don’t have an underlying dental problem that needs treatment. Then your dentist can help you choose a whitening treatment — for use at home or in the dental office — that’s right for you.

Though whitening treatments are varied, the active ingredient is almost always hydrogen peroxide. The most commonly used form is carbamide peroxide, which splits into hydrogen peroxide and urea when activated. A gel of 10% carbamide peroxide equals around 3.5% hydrogen peroxide. Now we get to the heart of your question: Is hydrogen peroxide harmful either to systemic (whole-body) health or to the health of teeth in particular?

Many studies have been conducted on the toxicology (“toxic” – poison; “ology” – study) of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide during recent years, particularly of tooth whiteners. All of the credible scientific evidence available indicates that there is no association between tooth whitening and cancer. What’s more, when tooth whitening treatments are performed correctly, the exposure to hydrogen peroxide is minimal.

It is generally accepted that tooth whitening is associated with some tooth sensitivity and gingival (gum) irritation. However, these side effects are usually mild to moderate and disappear when the individual completes or stops the tooth whitening procedure. A vast amount of data is available to support the safety of tooth whitening gels based on 10% carbamide peroxide. For those that contain higher concentrations of whitening ingredients, research indicates a greater risk of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Although most formulations with greater than 10% carbamide peroxide appear safe (because so far there have been no reports suggesting significant adverse effects), the data on them are relatively limited compared to those of 10% carbamide peroxide.

To date, there are a number of studies regarding the safety of specific over-the-counter whitening products. Most of them appear safe, although some products have been shown to have a significant negative effect on tooth enamel, as mentioned above. Tooth whitening also can affect the strength, color and texture of other types of existing and planned dental work — another reason why it’s so important to get professional input before you begin. Together, you and your dentist can brighten your smile in the safest way possible.

]]> http://www.wtnperioblog.com/tooth-whitening-tips/feed/ 1 http://www.wtnperioblog.com/link-found-between-oral-hygiene-pneumonia/ http://www.wtnperioblog.com/link-found-between-oral-hygiene-pneumonia/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:28:08 +0000 Dr. Todd Welch http://www.wtnperioblog.com/?p=2115


Pneumonia Link Oral Hygiene

Those who don’t brush their teeth regularly may be putting themselves at greater risk of contracting pneumonia.

Samit Joshi, a postdoctoral fellow in infectious diseases at the Yale University School of Medicine, presented a study at the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s annual meeting in Boston, claiming that changes in the types of oral bacteria can have a significant impact on the risk of developing pneumonia. Joshi cited poor oral hygiene as one of the most common risk factors for pneumonia, with the risk doubling if a person has severe gum problems.

The study analyzed the oral health of 37 subjects, from a variety of age and health backgrounds, over the period of one month. Though only a small percentage of the patients developed pneumonia, those who did acquire the disease also saw significant increases in the number of oral bacteria associated with pneumonia.

“Our findings might improve the way we prevent pneumonia in the future by maintaining [the types of] the bacteria which live within our mouths,” Joshi said in an interview with the Global Medical News Network (GMNN).

While the study was not designed to demonstrate the direct relationship between pneumonia and these bacteria, Joshi told the GMNN that he hopes his experiment will be replicated by larger independent studies to determine a causal link.

Upon hearing the findings of the study, the British Dental Health Foundation, an oral health charity, issued a press release stating that poor oral hygiene may lead to the development of pneumonia.

“During the winter months we’re all susceptible to colds, coughs and chesty viruses due to the drop in temperature,” Nigel Carter, the foundation’s chief executive, said in an interview in The Telegraph. “What people must remember, particularly those highlighted as vulnerable, is that prevention can be very basic.”

Carter added that links between gum disease and overall health have been well-documented, and that keeping up good oral health can help stave off illness.

Sheldon Campbell, a professor of microbiology at the Yale School of Medicine who was not affiliated with the study, said that while he was not surprised by Joshi’s findings, they are significant because they place an even greater emphasis on oral hygiene. While there are many variables that might affect the development of a disease, poor oral hygiene will likely negatively affect patients, Campbell said.

“Most of the bacterial organisms that cause infections are neighbors of the oral floor,” he said. “There are too many variables to accurately say, but it’s likely that oral microbodies probably impact the development of certain diseases.”

Approximately 3 million Americans are infected with pneumonia annually.

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