Like most people, you probably don’t see a connection between your smile and your lungs. These parts of your body are pretty distinct, after all; how they might interact isn’t obvious. Even so, the truth is that gum disease and lung disease do relate to each other strongly. Those with the former are much more likely to develop the latter over time. As for the specific facts and evidence, consider them in greater detail below.
A Brief Definition of Gum Disease
To understand its connection to lung disease, you’ll need to know what gum disease is first. You must thus review the latter’s definition.
At its core, gum disease is an infection of your gums (i.e., the pink tissues around your teeth). It occurs when too much plaque builds up in your mouth, causing your gumline to become inflamed. This buildup almost always stems from factors like poor nutrition, bad oral hygiene, and so on.
Gum disease has two distinct phases: gingivitis and periodontitis. The first amounts to minor gum inflammation, whereas the second is a severe infection of your gum and jaw tissues. It follows that gingivitis is reversible with good oral care and periodontitis isn’t.
Gum Disease Leads to Lung Disease
If left untreated, gum disease won’t just put your mouth at risk. It’ll also make you much more likely to get lung disease.
The bacteria that cause gum disease don’t just stay put in your gums. As more time passes, they may gather and grow to the point that they travel from your mouth to your lungs. These traveling microbes would then have a chance to cause harmful respiratory conditions. One such example is lung disease, but others include pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and so on.
Needless to say, you should address your gum disease to lower your lung disease risk. Treating your gums sooner will protect your lungs from harm.
How to Avoid Gum Disease & Lung Disease
It’s best to avoid both gum disease and lung disease altogether. That being said, please adopt the following habits:
- Clean Your Smile Daily – Daily brushing and flossing stop plaque from gathering below your gumline, thus making gum disease less likely.
- Rinse Your Mouth – By doing oral rinses with water (or mouthwash), you’d remove harmful bacteria from your mouth. That means you’d reduce your odds of getting infected gums.
- See Your Dentist Often – Your dentist has the power to diagnose and treat minor oral issues before they can cause gum disease. So, try to attend dental checkups at least twice yearly.
Ultimately, you’ll have healthier lungs if you have healthier gums. Keep that in mind as you pursue the great goal of good oral health!
About the Practice
Lorenzana Periodontics is based in San Antonio, TX. Led by namesake Dr. Eduardo Lorenzana, our practice combines top-tier expertise with warm, friendly, and attentive care. We thus offer a wide range of treatments related to gums and dental implants, all tailored to your smile’s unique needs. Whatever issues your gum tissues have, trust us – we’ll make your grin thrive! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (210)-492-3519.