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Oral microbiota is important for overall health because the bacteria ingest affect every aspect of health. The bacteria in the tongue microbiota reach the guts, Adults may inhale some of these microorganisms. Problems such as difficulty swallowing and cough reflux may cause the elderly to accidentally inhale bacteria that could lead to pulmonary infections such as pneumonia.
To investigate the effect of dental hygiene on adults, researcher examined the tongue microbiota composition of 506 community-dwelling adults aged 70–80 years. Using an advanced technique of genomic sequencing – 16S rRNA genetic sequencing the researchers determined the composition and density of the seniors’ microbiota.
The main bacteria identified were Prevotella histicola, Veillonella atypica, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus parasanguinis. These bacteria were found predominantly in adults with more plaque, more cavities, and fewer teeth. Additionally, the study found more fungi in these adults’ microbiotas, as well as among those who wore dentures.
Adults with poorer oral health swallow a more dysbiotic microbiota formed on the tongue. Dysbiosis describes microbial imbalance either in the gut or tongue. Microbial imbalance in the gut has been associated with several diseases that involve the immune system, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Fewer teeth, poorer dental hygiene, and more dental caries (cavities) experience are closely related to dysbiotic shift in the tongue microbiota composition, which might be harmful to the respiratory health of elderly adults with swallowing problems.