Teeth Cleaning May Reduce Risk of Flu, Pneumonia

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According to the May issue of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, getting your teeth professionally cleaned at a dentist's office may reduce the risks of both pneumonia and flu for senior citizens.

Over a two-year period, Japanese researches studied elderly people who received oral health care from dental hygienists. They compared these people with a group that did not get oral health care. People who had received professional teeth cleanings were less likely to die of pneumonia. They were also less likely to get fevers of 100 degrees or more.

The researchers also studied 190 older people who visited day-care facilities once a week. Half were assigned to get regular oral care. Over 6 months, these people were 90 percent less likely to come down with the flu.

Together, pneumonia and influenza are the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. The top five causes are heart disease, cancer, stroke, injuries and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. About 90 percent of people who die from pneumonia or the flu are over 65 years old.

Who knows; maybe one day going to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned may replace getting a flu shot!