Dental health is the first thing that people ignore taking care of because they do not experience any pain. 

Oral hygiene plays an important role in connection with systemic diseases. If you are in the habit of not considering your oral health a top priority, you are probably unaware of the potential damage that gum diseases and tooth decay can do to your body.

But one thing that never cross people's mind is, why dentist are asking you to care of your tooth, gums and oral cavity. Because there is one thing that we dentists always quote is 'Prevention is better than Cure'. But such quotes never hits a patient’s mind.

Let us get through the connection between Periodontitis and Respiratory disease!

Periodontitis tells the Oral Cavity condition and Respiratory tells the Lungs condition.

WHAT IS PERIODONTITIS?

It is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. It is common but largely preventable. It's usually the result of poor oral hygiene.

WHAT IS RESPIRATORY DISEASE? 

It is a systemic inflammation related to chronic disease. It is a disease that affects the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system.

ORAL CAVITY IS AN IMPORTANT RESERVOIR OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS THAT CAUSE LUNG DISEASE

LINKAGE: Saliva plays an important role in linking Periodontal disease to Respiratory disease. Oro-pharyngeal mucosa is the most common route of infection as pathogens reside on it.

The periodontal disease associated enzymes in saliva promotes adhesion and colonization by respiratory pathogens and then aspirated into lungs.

Cytokines alter respiratory epithelium, leading to the infection by respiratory pathogens.

Reasons behind the periodontal ill health care: Diminished salivation, Salivary pH, Poor oral Health, Environmental Pollutant, Smoking Habit, Genetic Factor, Allergies.

Prevention of oral colonization by Respiratory Pathogens are: 

  • Mechanical Ventilation 
  • Improved Oral Hygiene by proper Brushing techniques, Flossing, Gum massage and warm Saline rinses, Chlorhexidine Mouthwash (after every meal).
  • SSD (selective digestive decontamination) is a prophylactic treatment which contain antimicrobials.

Conclusion: As there exists a  strong association between periodontitis and respiratory disease, a regular visit to dentist is strongly recommended for a healthy dental and systemic system. 

“HEALTHY GUMS LEAD TO HEALTHY LUNGS!”