title: Respiratory disease and the role of oral bacteria.
abstract: The relationship between oral health and systemic conditions, including the association between poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, and respiratory disease, has been increasingly debated over recent decades. A considerable number of hypotheses have sought to explain the possible role of oral bacteria in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, and some clinical and epidemiological studies have found results favoring such an association. This review discusses the effect of oral bacteria on respiratory disease, briefly introduces the putative biological mechanisms involved, and the main factors that could contribute to this relationship. It also describes the role of oral care for individuals who are vulnerable to respiratory infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Feira de Santana State University, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Isaac S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Gomes-Filho
authors.forename: Johelle S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Passos
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seixas da Cruz