Incidence of bacteremia after chewing, tooth brushing and scaling in individuals with periodontal inflammation

TLDR

Bacteremia can arise after oral procedures, with periodontal disease influencing its incidence, magnitude, duration, and bacterial spectrum. In periodontitis patients, scaling induces higher incidence and magnitude of bacteremia than in gingivitis or healthy controls, with magnitude linked to gingival and plaque indices and bleeding sites but not pocket depth, underscoring the importance of periodontal disease prevention and treatment.

Abstract

Abstract Scientific rationale for study: Bacteremia occurs with various frequency after oral procedures. Periodontal disease may affect the incidence, magnitude, duration and bacterial spectrum of bacteremia. Principle findings: The incidence and magnitude of bacteremia after scaling was significantly higher in periodontitis than in gingivitis patients and healthy control individuals. In periodontitis patients, the magnitude of bacteremia was associated with gingival index, plaque index and number of sites with bleeding on probing, but not with probing pocket depth measurements. Practical implications: The prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases appear to be crucial for the prevention of bacteremia associated with oral procedures.