COPD, Smoking, and Oral Bacteria
Is it true mouth bacteria can cause COPD?
They do not cause it, but they can make it worse. Lung infections occur from inhaling fine droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. These droplets carry germs that can multiply in the lungs and cause damage. Research suggests that throat and mouth, can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract.
These germs then cause infections and worsen the condition of the lungs. People who have respiratory ailments, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), typically suffer the most.
What is COPD, then, and what causes it?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) cause persistent obstruction of the airways that interferes with normal breathing. The primary cause of this disease is believed to be long-term smoking.
Chemicals from smoke and air pollution irritate the airways to cause obstruction. Further damage to lung tissue function of the lungs can be prevented, but already damaged tissue cannot be restored. COPD, if untreated or undetected can result in irreversible damage.
Scientists believe that through the aspiration process, bacteria will cause frequent recurrences of infection in COPD patients. Studies are now underway to learn to what extent oral hygiene and periodontal disease may be associated with more frequents bouts of respiratory disease in COPD patients.
What do you do for COPD patients to help them achieve better oral hygiene?
Smokers are the primary group of patients with COPD. They are much more susceptible to perio disease, their healing rate is not as good, their chances of having successful implants is less – nothing good comes from smoking. As this group has greater needs, we generally recommend more frequent dental hygiene visits – needed to keep them healthy – and along with this goes patient education while they are here. Oral cancer screening is an important part of their care, as is biopsy or referral for cases with outright visible oral pathology present. In order to try to stay healthy, this group has greater challenges. In addition to more frequent dental visits, they need to use all the aids for good hygiene: electric toothbrushes (Sonicare is our favorite), daily dental flossing, fluoride rinses, etc.
Does your team have the means of detecting an orally-induced breathing problem and referring the patient to an MD?
Visual cancer examinations every time we see them, with a vigilant eye on the smokers, as they have much more problems than the non-smoking patient.
How does it benefit a COPD patient to see a dentist?
Early detection leads to early treatment and better chances of success with any cancer treatment.
They do not cause it, but they can make it worse. Lung infections occur from inhaling fine droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. These droplets carry germs that can multiply in the lungs and cause damage. Research suggests that throat and mouth, can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract.
These germs then cause infections and worsen the condition of the lungs. People who have respiratory ailments, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), typically suffer the most.
What is COPD, then, and what causes it?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) cause persistent obstruction of the airways that interferes with normal breathing. The primary cause of this disease is believed to be long-term smoking.
Chemicals from smoke and air pollution irritate the airways to cause obstruction. Further damage to lung tissue function of the lungs can be prevented, but already damaged tissue cannot be restored. COPD, if untreated or undetected can result in irreversible damage.
Scientists believe that through the aspiration process, bacteria will cause frequent recurrences of infection in COPD patients. Studies are now underway to learn to what extent oral hygiene and periodontal disease may be associated with more frequents bouts of respiratory disease in COPD patients.
What do you do for COPD patients to help them achieve better oral hygiene?
Smokers are the primary group of patients with COPD. They are much more susceptible to perio disease, their healing rate is not as good, their chances of having successful implants is less – nothing good comes from smoking. As this group has greater needs, we generally recommend more frequent dental hygiene visits – needed to keep them healthy – and along with this goes patient education while they are here. Oral cancer screening is an important part of their care, as is biopsy or referral for cases with outright visible oral pathology present. In order to try to stay healthy, this group has greater challenges. In addition to more frequent dental visits, they need to use all the aids for good hygiene: electric toothbrushes (Sonicare is our favorite), daily dental flossing, fluoride rinses, etc.
Does your team have the means of detecting an orally-induced breathing problem and referring the patient to an MD?
Visual cancer examinations every time we see them, with a vigilant eye on the smokers, as they have much more problems than the non-smoking patient.
How does it benefit a COPD patient to see a dentist?
Early detection leads to early treatment and better chances of success with any cancer treatment.
Labels: copd, periodontal disease, smoking
posted by Dental Expert at
10:59 PM
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