According to the World Health Organization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is the sixth-leading cause of death worldwide. The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoking.

But what if I told you that the prognosis for a person with COPD is a lot worse if they don’t brush their teeth regularly and well?

WHAT?! How are these two things possibly connected?

It may seem absurd at first glance. However, research has long shown that the health of the mouth is closely linked to the health of the body. One example is the connection between gum disease and heart disease.

Now, scientists have shown us that there’s a similarly strong connection between your gums and your lungs…

The bacterial link between gum disease and COPD

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a result of the buildup of plaque on the teeth over time.

Plaque is a sticky film made mostly of bacteria. Over time, if not treated, plaque can harden into tartar and cause inflammation of the gum tissue. This produces gaps between teeth and gums, the perfect place for more bacteria to flourish.

The result is periodontitis, or gum disease, which has already been found to be a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease… and COPD.

A team of Chinese researchers has conducted several mouse studies that have identified the mechanism by which periodontal bacteria aggravate the progression of COPD.

First, they showed that mice with COPD and infected with periodontitis had worse progression of COPD than mice with COPD alone.

In a second experiment, they observed that when mice were orally infected with the bacterium P. gingivalis (a bacterium that causes gum disease), the bacteria migrated to and infected the lungs.

Finally, they showed that P. gingivalis could activate immune cells in the lungs, promoting their ability to produce cytokines (small proteins) associated with exacerbating COPD symptoms.

Protect your mouth… and your lungs

“By enhancing periodontal therapy and targeting the inhibition of γδ T cells and M2 macrophages, we may be able to help control the progression of COPD,” said microbiologist Boyu Tang, Ph.D., who led the study with microbiologist Yan Li, Ph.D.So, if you want to protect your lungs, start by protecting your gums..

To prevent gingivitis, stick to a regular brushing and flossing routine. Skipping as little as 24 to 72 hours can cause changes in your oral microbiome — the population of good and bad bacteria in your mouth —that can trigger periodontitis.

Some natural foods and supplements can support you in the battle against mouth bacteria that cause gum disease…

• Drink matcha tea (green tea). When used as a mouthwash, green tea killed all P. gingivalis bacteria within four hours!
• Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and CoQ10 supplements all support healthy teeth and gums.
• Cut down on sugar intake. The bacteria that cause gum disease feed on sugar, so your goal is to starve them to death. Cut refined sugar and carbohydrates out of your diet and your mouth, and the rest of your body will be healthier.
• Drink plenty of water. It will keep you hydrated but also aid in removing bacteria and preventing gum inflammation.
• Consider a fish or krill oil supplement for healthy omega-3s. They are associated with lung health and fight the inflammation associated with gum disease.

Sources:

How gum disease aggravates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — Science Daily

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

New Study Shows 24-72 Hours of Poor Oral Hygiene Impacts Oral Health — Eureka Alert