What is the Connection Between Gum Health and Lung Disease?
Posted on 12/19/2022 by Dr. Boustany
Healthy gums and teeth influence your body's general health. Naturally, they aid in food digestion so systems can adequately assimilate vitamins and nutrients. Do you know that lung health is significantly influenced by mouth health? In addition to aggravating lung disease symptoms, lung disease treatment might damage your teeth and gums. Find out more about the connection between your mouth and lungs and how to maintain good health.
How Your Oral Health Issues Affect Your Lungs
Bacterial infections create oral health concerns like cavities and gingivitis. Not many people are aware of this fact, yet you can inhale these bacteria into your lungs on microscopic salivary droplets. Most people's lungs can be protected from these bacterial incursions by having strong immune systems. But weak immune systems and diseased lungs might be unable to defend themselves. This increases your risk of developing illnesses like pneumonia or can aggravate current lung diseases.
Periodontal disease can exacerbate chronic irritation in lung disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. These illnesses may cause swelling in the airways, leading to more frequent signs and lung damage. When your gums are infected and inflamed, your immune system receives a signal that alerts the entire body. This may result in increased lung inflammation, more significant symptoms, and even more lung damage.
How Lung Illness Can Affect Your Oral Health
Managing and treating various lung diseases like sleep apnea, asthma, and COPD can significantly impact your oral cavity. These drugs and devices can make you experience dry mouth, which is when your mouth doesn't generate enough saliva. Saliva assists in disinfecting teeth against bacteria and reduces your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Adults with chronic respiratory problems are more likely to have poor oral health due to drug side effects, systemic inflammation, and difficulties with primary dental care.
Healthy gums and teeth influence your body's general health. Naturally, they aid in food digestion so systems can adequately assimilate vitamins and nutrients. Do you know that lung health is significantly influenced by mouth health? In addition to aggravating lung disease symptoms, lung disease treatment might damage your teeth and gums. Find out more about the connection between your mouth and lungs and how to maintain good health.