Posted on 06/20/2022 8:54:09 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Lung function declines with increasingly severe gum disease, according to research.
"Our study indicates a link between periodontal disease and lung function meaning that good dental hygiene may benefit both oral and respiratory health," said study author Dr. Anders Røsland.
The average age of those with severe periodontitis was 55 years and 59% were men. Smoking was significantly more common in people with moderate or severe periodontitis compared with the healthy/mild group.
Lung function was assessed using spirometry, which measures the volume of air exhaled from the lungs and the flow rate of air. The researchers measured forced expiratory volume (FEV1) which is the volume of air (in liters) an individual can exhale during one second after maximal inspiration. They also measured forced vital capacity(FVC) which is the amount of air (in liters) forcibly exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible.
The investigators found that FEV1 and FVC (both expressed as a percent of the predicted value) and FEV1/FVC declined with increasing severity of periodontitis. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, and educational level, significant inverse associations were observed between lung function and severe periodontitis: compared to the healthy/mild group, those with severe periodontitis had 3.6% lower FEV1 and 2.2 lower FEV1/FVC.
Dr. Røsland says that "all measures of lung function deteriorated as gum disease worsened. In addition, as gum inflammation became more widespread throughout the mouth, some of the respiratory values tended to worsen. A decline in lung function may indicate airway inflammation, possibly originating from inflamed gums and the inhalation of dental plaque, which contains bacteria. If this link between gum disease and lung function is confirmed, this could provide the rationale for periodontal treatment and oral hygiene programs to improve oral and respiratory health."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
When I smoked a dentist told me that the tar from cigarettes contributed to the build-up of plaque, which then spread under the gum line. I had to have my teeth root planned several times over the years, when I didn’t go to the dentist very often the backs of my teeth were black. I quit smoking 7 years ago, and have both paradontal disease and COPD.
A related issue is sleep apnea. This lack of oxygen in sleep can cause damage to all functions. It was my dentist who indicated that the medical health field is becoming aware of how pervasive this is. And yes it goes both ways.
One last thing, sleep apnea does not always create obvious signs like gasping for air and snoring. People can have it for years and not have the slightest idea. (Except I knew they would never get me in one of those masks). I now use a mask and sleep very well and have for the last year when I was admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory failure. Yup, it was sleep apnea and I had it for years.
Take control of your health freepers. Make certain you do not have this one.
I brush my lungs every morning.
My doctor said this raises a red flag for my health. And if Congress passes the red flag law, they could take my gums away.
My BinL died from this exact thing, didn’t take care of his teeth got the gack and died. He was 62, lifetime of dental neglect.
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