Digital News Report – Taking care of your gums may also help to keep your lungs healthy says a recent study that was published in the Journal of Periodontology. Having periodontal gum disease increased the chances of having a respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. The reasoning is that the bacteria in the mouth gets inhaled into the respiratory tract.
The researchers studied 200 participants ranging in age from 20 to 60 that had at least 20 of their permanent teeth. There was half of the participants that were hospitalized for respiratory illness and the other half were healthy participants used as a control group. Each participant had a complete oral exam to see if there was any periodontal gum disease present.
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Periodontal disease or gum disease causes a chronic inflammation of the gum tissue and surrounding areas around the teeth. Gum disease has been previously researched and linked to other diseases including, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Brushing your teeth and flossing daily is important ways to improve periodontal health.
The study data results showed that the respiratory disease participants also had a worst measurement of periodontal health. Even though there appears to be a link for gum disease and increased respiratory illness, the researchers say that more research needs to be conducted in order to more completely determine that this is true.
By Victoria Brown