A importância da avaliação periodontal na prevenção e tratamento da pneumonia

Abstract

Periodontal disease has a significant impact on systemic health, particularly on the risk of respiratory infections, as the oral cavity serves as a reservoir for microorganisms capable of reaching the lower respiratory tract.

Pneumonia—whether community-acquired, hospital-acquired, or ventilator- associated—may have its incidence and severity exacerbated by periodontal

inflammation, biofilm accumulation, and the aspiration of oral pathogens. This study examined the role of periodontal assessment in the prevention and management of pneumonia through a literature review conducted in the PubMed and LILACS databases, using descriptors in Portuguese and English and considering only publications from 2020 to 2025, including clinical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Studies without quantitative data, case reports, research with inconsistent methodology, and articles not directly addressing the relationship between periodontal disease and pneumonia were excluded. After applying the eligibility criteria, eight studies were deemed relevant. The evidence demonstrates that adequate periodontal control reduces oral microbial load, decreases colonization by respiratory pathogens, and contributes to the prevention of pneumonia, especially in hospitalized and critically ill patients. Furthermore, structured oral hygiene protocols and

multiprofessional care have shown effectiveness in reducing ventilator- associated pneumonia. It is concluded that periodontal assessment should be

incorporated into preventive strategies for respiratory infections, reinforcing the integration between oral health and systemic health.