Respiratory Disease & Periodontal Disease
The Mouth and Body Connection
Summary of Periodontal Disease
Gum (periodontal) disease is a chronic, progressive oral health condition that affects the gums, jawbone, teeth, and even the overall health of a patient. Over time, gum disease causes inflammation and gum recession. Gum recession and jawbone deterioration, in turn, lead to a variety of different oral health conditions and even tooth loss. The infection of the gums can even enter the bloodstream and spread. For all of these reasons, you’ll want to visit your dentist for periodontal disease treatment immediately.
At Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics, we provide periodontal disease evaluation and treatment services for patients at all stages of gum disease—from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. We remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from below the gumline and put together a treatment plan to prevent progression and manage the symptoms of gum disease.
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Dr. Drone is a native of Wheatfield, IN, and has been practicing dentistry since 2003, and opened his private practice in Valparaiso, IN, in 2007. Dr. Drone earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University School of Dentistry and earned his advanced specialty degrees in Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics from Indiana University School of Dentistry and Medicine.
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The Mouth-Body Connection and Periodontal Disease
Research has proven that there is a strong connection between periodontal disease and other chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and osteoporosis. Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation above and below the gum line, the presence of disease-causing bacteria, bleeding of gum tissue when brushing or flossing, gum pockets, and bone loss. The bacterial infection in the mouth can spread throughout the body and lead to several problematic health issues. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene, preventing periodontal disease, or reducing the progression of periodontal disease through dental treatments will have benefits beyond preventing gum disease and bone loss. It can prevent you from the chance of developing another serious health condition.
Periodontal Disease and Repiratory Disease
Periodontal disease (known as periodontitis, gum disease, or jawbone disease) has been linked to respiratory diseases. Respiratory disease occurs when fine droplets are inhaled from the mouth and throat into the lungs. According to leading experts in the medical and dental professions, periodontal disease can worsen respiratory conditions as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent research also shows that bacteria that grow in the mouth and throat can travel and settle into the lower respiratory tract and cause or intensify respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Connection to Respiratory Disease
- Oral bacterial infiltration: The bacteria that are responsible for causing periodontal disease, which invade and live in the gum pockets of a diseased mouth, may travel into the lower respiratory tract. Once the bacteria colonize in the lung, they cause inflammation of the lung lining. This creates respiratory problems because it limits the amount of air that can pass freely thoroughly the lungs, contributing to respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD.
- Low resistance-low immunity: Most people who experience chronic or persistent respiratory problems also have low-resistance bacterial and viral infections or toxins. With low immunity, the oral bacteria can easily grow above and below the gum line without being attacked by the body’s immune system. This can increase the activity of periodontal disease as well as increase the risk for respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD.
- Inflammation: Oral bacteria that cause periodontal disease cause inflammation and irritation in the gum tissue and in the lung tissue. The lung lining can become so inflamed that the airway is constricted and limiting the amount of air that can travel in and out of the lungs.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are diagnosed with respiratory disease and periodontal disease, it is important for Dr. Drone and your pulmonologist (medical specialist who focuses on the health of the respiratory system) to plan how best to treat both conditions and eliminate further complications.
Treatment of periodontal disease comes in different forms, with the most common being scaling and root planing. This procedure involves the cleaning of a patient’s teeth below the gumline, removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar that cannot be removed during a general cleaning. This non-surgical treatment is the first response, but additional work may be required to address periodontal disease. You may be referred to a specialist to perform periodontal surgery.
Whatever the case may be, our team will determine the best treatment option and put together a plan to meet your needs.