If you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, you’re no stranger to coughing, wheezing and struggling to breathe — symptoms that that are hallmarks of the condition.

And you probably already know that avoiding triggers that can set off a cascade of worsening symptoms is especially important.

In fact, things like passing by a smoker as you leave a building, days with higher levels of air pollution — and even the summer heat — can make it difficult to manage your condition.

But what you may not know is this: a seemingly unrelated health problem can not only aggravate your symptoms — but actually accelerate the progression of COPD.

And it starts in your mouth…

Triggering COPD flare-ups

According to research published in the American Society of Microbiology Journals, bad bacteria in your mouth can result in COPD flare-ups by increasing lung inflammation.

Here’s how it works according to the researchers…

It all starts with a bacteria known as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). If that sounds familiar, it’s the bacteria that causes periodontitis or gum disease.

And while having the bacteria in your mouth is bad enough — after all, who wants to deal with bleeding, gums, loose teeth and other oral health problems — P. gingivalis doesn’t just stay in your mouth.

In fact, previously it’s been linked to lots of illnesses not at all related to oral health, including heart disease.

Now researchers have found that when it comes to COPD, P. gingivalis can travel to the lungs where it activates lung immune cells, which drive lung inflammation.

Because COPD already causes lung inflammation, gum disease is like fuel on a fire and can exacerbate progression of the disease.

Gum disease and whole-body health

Beyond damaging your lungs and making COPD worse, the bacteria can also:

Clearly, what happens in your mouth isn’t like Vegas — it doesn’t stay in your mouth.

Keeping gum disease at bay

Of course, the first step to battle back bad oral bacteria that can aggravate your COPD and damage your health in so many ways is to brush and floss and see your dentist at least once a year.

But there are also other things you can add in to boost your oral health dramatically…

That can include taking these four supplements that have been shown to fight gum disease and help you keep a healthy mouth.

And to take it to the next level, try drinking or even just swishing out your mouth with matcha tea once or twice a day.

This green tea on steroids has been shown to have the power to kill all bad oral bacteria in just four hours flat.

Finally, if you enjoy a glass of red wine, it’s good to know that it has been shown to have three compounds that promote a healthy mouth.

COPD is a condition that requires the care of a physician, but research has shown some supplements can help:

Omega-3s: Like those found in fatty fish, fish oil or krill oil, have been associated with lung health.

Vitamin D: According to the American Thoracic Society, a vitamin D deficiency causes deficits in lung function and structure.

Both vitamin D and omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory properties. Spices like turmeric, ginger and black seed oil are also powerful anti-inflammatories.

Just check with our doctor to be sure nothing interferes with your medication.

Sources:
Periodontitis aggravates COPD through the activation of γδ T cell and M2 macrophage — American Society for Microbiology