Strategies to slash pneumonia risk by an impressive 86%

Keeping Pneumonia at Bay: A Mouthful of Health Advice

Strategies to slash pneumonia risk by an impressive 86%

There's a slimy crew that calls your mouth home - bacteria, some good, some bad. The bad ones include nasties like Staphylococcus and E. coli. One common bacterium found in the mouth that can lead to pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).

Inevitably, when these undesirables fester, they're more likely to invade other parts of your body - particularly your lungs [1].

Regular dental visits could slash your risk of pneumonia by a staggering 86 percent, according to researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University [2]. Analyzing the health and dental records of 26,000 folks, they found that those who shun dentist visits carry a significantly greater risk of contracting pneumonia.

Missing a few dental appointments won't skyrocket your pneumonia risk, but putting off these visits might be a dangerous move. A 2014 study revealed that ICU patients who received comprehensive dental care from a professional saw a 56% decrease in respiratory infection prevalence compared to those who only received standard care [3].

It's not just your lungs at risk; nasty mouth bacteria can also infiltrate your heart, blood, and other organs. This bacteria-laden invasion has even been linked to increased cancer risk [4].

Boosting Immunity with Golden Oil

When life gets hectic, it's easy to neglect health routines, including dental visits. So, don't let those check-ups slip too far down your to-do list. To prevent a possible infection, it's especially crucial to stay vigilant now, given the current circulation of influenza and COVID viruses [2]. Up to a third of all pneumonia cases trigger from a respiratory illness [5].

Maintaining good oral hygiene between dental visits is also a must. This entails obvious habits like brushing and flossing daily, as well as less obvious ones such as adhering to a wholesome diet, supplementing for oral health, and mastering the ancient art of oil pulling [5].

Oil pulling, recommended by my holistic dentist, uses any edible oil for rinsing away mouth bacteria. Popular choices include coconut, sunflower, or sesame seed oil. For optimum results, I'd suggest black seed oil due to its propensity to promote balanced immune system responses and fight inflammation that's associated with gum disease.

Swishing oil around your mouth for about 15 minutes, then spitting it out and brushing your teeth, is all it takes to give this technique a try [5].

Editor's Note: Poor oral health has been linked to the top cause of death in the USA, not to mention kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, depression, and much more. Uncover more about this hidden dental health crisis by clicking HERE!

Sources:

1. *"The Influence of Oral Health on Systemic Diseases: A Review." PubMed Central, 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
2. *"Regular dental visits may help prevent pneumonia, study shows." ScienceDaily, April 5, 2017. https://www.sciencedaily.com/
3. T. Bellissimo-Rodrigues, et al. "Effectiveness of a Dental Care Intervention in the Prevention of Lower Respiratory Tract Nosocomial Infections among Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial." Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2014; 35 (11): 1342.
4. "The Direct and Indirect Links Between Oral Infections and Cancer: Closing the Hygiene Hypothesis Loop." PubMed Central, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
5. "Oil Pulling Therapy – An Overview." PubMed Central, 2015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
6. Research indicates a strong connection between poor oral health and serious medical conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Neglecting dental visits may lead to an increased risk of developing pneumonia, as indicated by a study involving 26,000 individuals.
8. The risk of respiratory infection prevalence decreases by 56% among ICU patients who receive comprehensive dental care from a professional.
9. Mouth bacteria can infiltrate the heart, blood, and other organs, potentially increasing cancer risk.
10. A balanced diet and oral health supplements can play a key role in maintaining good oral health between dental visits.
11. Oil pulling, which involves swishing oil around the mouth for 15 minutes, can help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
12. Black seed oil, known for its ability to promote balanced immune system responses and fight inflammation, is a popular choice for oil pulling.
13. Good oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing, and daily oil pulling are essential for preventing possible infections, especially during respiratory virus outbreaks like flu and COVID-19.
14. The link between oral health and systemic diseases has been extensively studied, with reviews confirming the influence of oral health on the overall health of the body.
15. Neglecting oral health can even be associated with neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and depression.
16. The science of workplace-wellness is emphasizing the importance of oral health in maintaining overall well-being.
17. The manufacturing industry needs to consider workplace wellness programs that prioritize oral health to reduce absenteeism and boost employee productivity.
18. The CBD industry is exploring new applications for cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of chronic inflammation and supporting cardiovascular health.
19. The health-and-wellness industry is growing rapidly, with a focus on preventative care and holistic approaches to managing medical conditions.
20. In the field of mental-health, the importance of skin-care and self-care practices for stress management is being recognized.
21. The hearing industry has developed advanced technologies for managing and treating respiratory conditions that affect the ears.
22. The eye-health industry is using cutting-edge therapies and treatments to combat age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
23. Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining skin health, with some foods helping to combat skin conditions like acne and eczema.
24. The food-and-drink industry is focusing on offering healthier options to consumers, with a growing interest in clean eating and plant-based diets.
25. Fitness-and-exercise routines can help manage chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
26. The retail industry is experiencing a shift towards sustainable practices and ethically-sourced products in the personal-finance and wealth-management sectors.
27. The transportation industry is investing in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and self-driving cars to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
28. The cybersecurity industry is addressing the growing issue of data breaches and online threats related to banking-and-insurance transactions.
29. The lifestyle industry is embracing the importance of mental health in overall well-being, with a focus on mindfulness and self-care practices.
30. The fashion-and-beauty industry is improving its practices in the area of skin-care and animal welfare, moving towards cruelty-free and eco-friendly products.
31. The entertainment industry is recognizing the potential benefits of CBD in the treatment of anxiety and depression among celebrities.
32. The politics and pop-culture spheres are highlighting the connection between oral health and general health, encouraging more education and awareness.
33. The science of sci-fi-and-fantasy is exploring the potential of nanotechnology in the treatment of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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