title: Oral health disparities in older adults: oral bacteria, inflammation, and aspiration pneumonia.
abstract: Poor oral hygiene has been suggested to be a risk factor for aspiration pneumonia in the institutionalized and disabled elderly. Control of oral biofilm formation in these populations reduces the numbers of potential respiratory pathogens in the oral secretions, which in turn reduces the risk for pneumonia. Together with other preventive measures, improved oral hygiene helps to control lower respiratory infections in frail elderly hospital and nursing home patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York, Foster Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. Electronic address: fas1@buffalo.edu.
authors.forename: Frank A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Scannapieco
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics and Extended Care Services (10P4G), US Department of Veterans Affairs, PO Box 134002, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4002, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018441:Biofilms; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
keywords: Aspiration pneumonia; Elderly; Oral bacteria; Oral hygiene; Vulnerable population