Is Denture Plaque a Risk for Aspiration Pneumonia in Older People? A microbiome study

The main risk of colonization of microbes from dental and denture plaques is their ability to be aspirated down the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia in the elderly 22. The focus of oral health in denture wearers has been on intervention in preventing the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia in the older population. The role of denture plaque in the development of aspiration pneumonia in geriatrics wearing dentures is yet to be fully understood with a hypothesis that denture plaque increases risk of aspiration pneumonia. The study is to determine microbial profile of denture plaque and determine their association with aspiration pneumonia in older people.