{"id":165,"date":"2024-11-14T01:38:03","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T01:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenudental.com\/blog\/?p=165"},"modified":"2024-12-13T01:40:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T01:40:06","slug":"gum-disease-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thenudental.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/14\/gum-disease-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Link Between Gum Disease & Lung Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Did you know that nearly half of adults over the age of 30 have gum disease at one severity or another. Gum disease<\/a> does more than just cause inflammation and bleeding of the gums. It leads to various addition oral health issues, like tooth loss and bone deterioration. It can even cause serious health problems in other areas of the body, some being life-threatening. This includes the risk of respiratory disease. Continue reading to learn more about the connection and what you can do to keep your lungs and smile healthy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Are Gum and Lung Health Related?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Periodontitis, the severe form of gum disease, is a common bacterial infection that involves severe inflammation and even bone loss. However, the bacteria present in periodontitis isn\u2019t just limited to the gum tissue. Some of it is inhaled into the lungs on tiny droplets of saliva. While healthy lungs have protective defenses to help keep these bacteria out, diseased and damaged lungs aren\u2019t able to defend themselves as well, making it more likely that bacteria will cause further infections and worsen existing lung problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having gum disease can worsen chronic inflammation of the lungs caused by various diseases, including asthma and COPD. Further inflammation means more frequent symptoms and additional lung damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Avoid the Progression of Respiratory Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By maintaining healthy gum tissue and oral health, you can reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth and prevent the progression of severe respiratory disease. Here are some important steps for you to take to keep your smile in good shape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n