While there are many different reasons to maintain good oral care, from preventing tooth decay to having fresh breath, protecting against a number of diseases may be among the most important. Taking care of the teeth can reduce the risk of pneumonia.
Elderly people who are at high risk of the lung disease can improve their chances by simply keeping the bacteria in their mouth in check.
Simply brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, cleaning in between teeth daily with interdental brushes or floss, cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visiting the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend can be a great starting point.
Bacterial chest infections are believed to be caused by breathing contents of the mouth and throat into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.