Stopping LUNG DISEASE Starts with the DENTIST?
You may not like to admit it…
And you may have hated sitting in his chair…
But your DENTIST has dished out valuable, tried-and-true advice since you were a little kid.
Starting with:
Brush your teeth TWICE A DAY!
And years later it’s STILL good advice.
After all, staying on top of your oral hygiene helps prevent bad breath, gingivitis, gum disease, and even keeps your heart healthy!
Now get this…
A recent study reveals that grabbing your toothbrush could help you breathe easy and fend off LUNG DISEASE.
Practicing good oral hygiene goes way beyond keeping your teeth white and your breath fresh.
Your mouth is the gateway to your body, and keeping germs and bacteria out of your mouth will not only make your dentist happy… but it does wonders for vital organs, like your LUNGS.
But what’s the connection?
Most chronic lung diseases are characterized by inflammation – which causes excess mucus(which can make it hard to breathe).
Periodontitis (gum disease), is a common bacterial infection that involves severe inflammation of the gums.
And folks with severe lung disease (like COPD), often have severe gum disease too – making the connection hard to ignore.
But what comes first?
This is the latest study’s goal … specifically if inflammation AND bacteria in the mouth are a precursor to chronic lung diseases.
It’s part of an on-going project called BRuSH – which focuses on young patients with mild to moderate gum disease, removing bacteria from their mouth, and using both saliva and blood samples to determine if their lungs function better as they age.
This helps determine if getting rid of the oral bacteria and inflammation can stop lung disease from developing.
It should be noted that the research isn’t fully completed (yet), but there’s no harm in being proactive NOW to eliminate harmful bacteria that can live in your mouth.
Make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly.
And of course, keep seeing your dentist so they can get a deeper look at your gums and teeth to identify any potential issues.
To giving your dentist proper respect,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
King, Anthony. “How flossing and brushing may be good for your lungs.” 3/18/22. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-03-flossing-good-lungs.html
