London: Dentures could cause pneumonia, if they are not cleaned properly, according to a recent study.
According to researchers from Cardiff University in the UK, unclean dentures create a favorable environment for disease-causing microbes to thrive.
Individuals wearing dentures may inadvertently inhale saliva containing harmful microbes into their lungs, leading to potential infections, said the researchers from Cardiff University, UK.
The study involved collecting mouth, tongue, and denture swabs from hospitalized patients with pneumonia who wore dentures. These samples were then compared to those taken from denture-wearing individuals in care homes who did not have pneumonia.
Analysis of the samples revealed a significantly higher abundance of potentially pneumonia-causing bacteria on dentures among individuals with pneumonia compared to those without.
"We were expecting to see a difference but were surprised to see 20 times the number of potentially pneumonia-causing bacteria on dentures in people with pneumonia, compared to people without," said lead author Dr Josh Twigg, from the university.
While the study, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, establishes a potential association, Dr. Twigg emphasizes that it does not prove a direct causal relationship. It serves as an early step in understanding the sequence of events surrounding pneumonia and denture use.
"You certainly couldn't say that people got pneumonia because they were wearing dentures. It's just showing that there is an association there. This research is an early step in trying to unravel that puzzle of what exactly is the sequence of events", Dr Twigg said.
Despite the need for further research, Dr. Twigg highlights the importance of maintaining proper denture hygiene based on the study's findings.
"Our research has shown that there are potentially harmful microbial communities on dentures. It is important to clean dentures thoroughly," he said.
Dr. Twigg hopes that increased awareness, regular dental check-ups, and improved oral care practices can help prevent individuals from needing dentures in the first place.
By attending the dentist regularly for check-ups and learning about the best way to look after your teeth, Dr Twigg hopes that more people will avoid needing to wear dentures entirely.
With inputs from agencies