Research Links Upper Respiratory Disease and Periodontal Disease...
Plus Ways to Prevent Both
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While it is understood that good oral health is important, new research shows why oral hygiene is now more important than ever. According to new studies, there is reason to believe there are links between periodontal disease and upper respiratory disease, including conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When all respiratory diseases are combined, they account for around one in six deaths in the United States.
These numbers make respiratory disease the third highest cause of death in the country. Since 9 out of 10 adults are thought to have some form of periodontal disease, this connection is especially important to be aware of.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a type of bacterial infection of the tissues that support your teeth.
It is a major cause of tooth loss and bad breath for adults, and affects an estimated three of four adults over the age of 35. It gives bacteria a direct route to your bloodstream on a daily basis. The bacteria attack your gums, soft tissue and the bone that anchors your teeth. Since periodontal disease can be present without pain in its beginning stages, you may not even be aware of the damage that is being done inside your mouth until much later.
As the damage continues below your gingival tissue, pockets of bacterial infection develop. The more severe the disease, the deeper these pockets become. Eventually, periodontal disease can cause the loss of teeth or worse, a systemic infection of your body.
Periodontal disease is classified into two stages known as gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the milder form of periodontal disease that attacks only your gum tissues. When left untreated, gingivitis can develop into the severe stage of periodontal disease known as periodontitis. Once periodontitis is present, bacteria destroys soft tissue and bone structures supporting each tooth, causing irreversible damage. Making things even more complicated, periodontal disease has been linked to many other inflammatory diseases of the body, such as upper respiratory diseases.
What is a Respiratory Disease?
Infections of the upper respiratory system generally occur when there are different strains of bacteria inhaled into your lungs. The upper respiratory tract includes your mouth, nose, throat, larynx and the trachea. Your respiratory system is responsible for delivering oxygen throughout your entire body. It also removes the carbon dioxide and toxic waste in your body, regulates your core body temperature and keeps your blood-alkaline level balanced. Your lungs defend against bacterial or viral attacks, control the flow of many proteins across their own cellular structure and produce several chemicals that are vital to your wellbeing.
Respiratory diseases can be caused by several different factors including the inhalation of toxic materials in the form of fine droplets. These droplets travel from the mouth, to the throat and into the lungs. The droplets contain germs that breed and multiply inside the lungs, where they cause damage. If you have periodontal disease and respiratory disease, inhaling bacteria from your mouth to your lungs could result in aspiration pneumonia. Additionally, respiratory diseases can be caused by certain kinds of accidents and harmful environmental factors, like smoking. Respiratory infections, genetics or anything that hinders healthy lung development has the potential to cause respiratory symptoms. Due to the presence of oral bacteria, the inflammatory response weakens your immune system and increases the risk of a respiratory disease further.
The Link Between Periodontal Disease and Upper Respiratory Diseases
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition that affects around 75% of adults in the United States. Since bacteria that cause periodontal disease can be inhaled into your lungs, the potential for respiratory infection greatly increases.
There are two possible explanations for the bacterial link between periodontal disease and upper respiratory disease. First, dental plaque is home to both periodontal and respiratory bacterial strains. Secondly, the enzymes associated with periodontal disease may cause respiratory bacteria to adhere to airways. A recent study showed there are some interesting links between upper respiratory disease and periodontal disease. The study examined 200 people, half of whom had developed a respiratory infection, while the other half were healthy. The results showed that the healthy group had much better periodontal health than those with a respiratory infection, and people with poor periodontal health are thought to be more likely to develop respiratory disease.
A separate study found changes in mouth bacteria preceded the development of the inflammatory lung condition known as pneumonia. Both periodontal disease and respiratory disease are classified as inflammatory conditions, making inflammation a link between the two diseases. Although the study shows these similarities, scientists must conduct additional research in order to determine exactly how periodontal bacteria are capable of leading to a respiratory disease.
How Can Good Oral Health Prevent Respiratory Disease?
Periodontal disease and respiratory disease are both chronic and inflammatory in nature. They can have a huge impact on your health overall. It is for this reason that you need to have a thorough dental cleaning and examination at least one time, and preferably twice, a year. A periodontal evaluation by your dentist can determine any problems with your gum tissues and oral health before serious complications occur. If periodontal disease is found early, a treatment plan can be developed to combat any further damage. Your dental team will evaluate your teeth for any plaque or calculus build up, along with assess your gingival tissues for signs of inflammation. You may need x-rays in order to determine the extent of any bone loss you have experienced. Your dentist will also attempt to determine if there are any environmental risk factors, such as your age, smoking habits or the presence of any other bodily conditions that create inflammation.
In three separate published studies, researchers concluded that good oral hygiene and dental care procedures can lower your risk of respiratory disease in elderly individuals. One of the studies stated that good oral care can reduce any occurrence or progression of many types of respiratory diseases. The second review noted evidence that suggests regular brushing of your teeth can actually decrease your risk of death from pneumonia, and researchers suggested around one in 10 pneumonia deaths may be prevented by regular tooth brushing. The third review stated that quick oral interventions can lower the number of respiratory diseases among the patients who were studied.
Home Prevention: How to be Proactive About Your Dental Health
In light of the information that researchers have uncovered, it is best to take steps to be proactive with your dental health. While researchers are still trying to discover the exact cause of the links between oral and respiratory health, many now believe that the bacteria associated with periodontal disease may increase the risk of a respiratory infection.
Even though the oral-respiratory links may sound alarming, you should understand that good oral hygiene is your ultimate weapon to combat bacteria in the mouth. Once the amount of bacteria is reduced in your mouth, the amount of bacteria entering your lungs is reduced as well. It is for this reason that you must brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day, use mouthwash daily to kill germs and bad breath, refrain from smoking and visit your dentist twice a year for a thorough cleaning and check-up.
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Sources
American Dental Association
The Journal of the American Dental Association
NCBI Bookshelf: Respiratory Diseases
