They then analysed the samples to identify the abundance and types of microbes present in the samples. Researchers were looking for microbes that could cause pneumonia and whether there were any significant differences between the two groups.
Dr Josh Twigg, lead author of the study, said, “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.”
Josh and his team speculate that the dentures could play a role in causing pneumonia. If they are not cleaned properly, they could provide a new surface where disease-causing microbes can colonise. People who wear dentures may then be inhaling saliva containing harmful microbes into their lungs, where an infection can then take hold.
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