Link between Poor Oral Hygiene and Meningitis

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Poor oral hygiene has been linked to many serious health conditions, such as diabetes, strokes and heart disease, but now new studies have found a connection between oral health and meningitis.

The study, featured in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, has found a connection between frequently occurring oral bacteria and the bacteria linked to meningitis and brain inflammation.

The study on the particular bacteria, Streptococcus tigurinus, was conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, with results highlighting the presence of the bacteria of meningitis sufferers.

The main author of the study, Dr. Andrea Zbinden, discussed how Streptococcus tigurinus “seems to have a natural potential to cause severe disease” and spoke about the ease the bacteria had entering the bloodstream through bleeding gums.

Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine of brushing, flossing and using mouthwash can prevent such bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing the many health problems it has been linked to.

 

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