Respiratory Infections Caused by Aspirated Plaque
We breathe every day thousands of times, effortlessly and automatically. And sometimes, we breathe the wrong way. Especially in the elderly, the ill, or those in need of care. In these cases, it’s not just air that enters the lungs but sometimes something that absolutely doesn't belong there: dental plaque.
What sounds absurd is medically real. Plaque can detach, mix with saliva, enter the throat, and from there during swallowing or inhalation be aspirated directly into the lower respiratory tract.
And that’s where the problem begins.
Because plaque is not a sterile substance. On the contrary it contains bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Fusobacterium well-known triggers of respiratory infections. When these bacteria enter the lungs, they can cause inflammation: bronchitis, pneumonia, and in the worst-case scenario, aspiration pneumonia.
The risk increases significantly in elderly patients, those with swallowing disorders, or individuals on ventilators. Yet prevention is remarkably simple: regular oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, antiseptic rinses especially in bedridden individuals.
But this rarely happens. Caregivers are overworked, dentists don't visit nursing homes, and many still see plaque as merely a cosmetic issue not the bacterial time bomb it can be.
Studies clearly show: the worse the oral hygiene, the higher the risk of respiratory infections. The oral cavity is not separate from the rest of the body it’s part of an interconnected system.
Plaque is not a minor issue. It is a real, preventable danger especially for those least able to protect themselves.
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