The average person understands they should brush their teeth and floss each night to avoid gum disease, but it can sometimes be easy to forget how important that really is. Even people who take good care of the rest of their bodies might neglect their oral health, thinking that it doesn’t matter as much. However, some researchers believe that preventing gum disease can reduce the risk of serious health issues later in life. Particular attention has been paid to a potential causal link between gum disease and lung diseases like COPD. If you’re curious about what the connection could be, read on for a little bit more information.
Can Gum Disease Lead to Lung Disease?
For years researchers have been aware of a correlation between periodontitis (i.e., advanced gum disease) and COPD, but it’s never been clear which one came first, or if one caused the other. Dr. Randi Bertelsen at the University of Bergen in Norway was interested in this question, which is why he’s begun a long-term study on how treating gum disease in young adults affects their long-term respiratory health. While the study has yet to be completed, Dr. Bertelsen’s hypothesis is that the bacteria most commonly responsible for periodontitis can increase the chances of contracting lung disease. “We believe,” he said in a recent interview about his research, “that inflammatory bacteria in the mouth create pockets between the gum and tooth, break down the lining and spread…” The theory is that these bacteria then enter the bloodstream, eventually reaching the lungs.
How Does Gum Disease Affect the Rest of the Body?
One of the reasons why Dr. Bertelsen may suspect a connection between gum and lung disease is because of the more solid evidence connecting oral health problems to issues with the cardiovascular system. In fact, the connection between periodontitis and heart disease is very well established.
Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans are two varieties of bacteria that are usually to blame for gum disease. These same bacteria are also found often in diseased heart tissue. When Dr. Bertelsen hypothesized that bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and spread to the lungs, he was echoing one of the most common theories used to explain the connection between gum and heart disease.
While there isn’t quite enough evidence to definitively say that gum disease can lead to respiratory infection, there are already plenty of reasons to make sure your oral health is as good as it can be. Evidence has shown that brushing twice a day and flossing daily aren’t just good for your mouth; they can keep your heart working hard as well. And, at the end of the day, a nice smile is its own reward.
About the Author
Dr. Nicholas Brong is a family dentist who’s been practicing for over a decade. He approaches oral medicine as a partnership between dentist and patient, where he empowers you to make the best decisions about your oral health. Dr. Brong is a member of the Minnesota Dental Association and SPEAR Education, both of which keep him informed on the latest treatments for oral disease. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco. If you have any questions about the effects of gum disease, Dr. Brong can be reached at his website or by phone at (507) 288-1066.
