Homes told to brush up on saving lives

Ensuring care home residents brush their teeth is good standard
health practice. But US research suggests that tooth-brushing could
save lives.

Studies co-ordinated by the University of Buffalo’s Dr Ali El-Solh
conclude that a clean mouth reduces the chance of developing lung
diseases such as pneumonia.

“This is the first study that establishes unequivocally a link
between dental hygiene and respiratory infection,” El-Solh said.

Germs that can damage lungs lurk in tooth plaque and can be inhaled
into the lungs, he said, so care homes should encourage oral
hygiene.