Bleeding gums can lead to lung disease, according to a study.
Researchers in China discovered that mice were infected with the oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, which can lead to gum disease.
This worsened the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mice that already had the condition.
The findings suggest that Managing gum disease could act as a potential treatment for COPD, which affects 16 million adults in the U.S. early and is the sixth leading cause of death worldwide.
About 40 percent of American adults over 30 have gum disease — and the problem has been linked to serious, chronic conditions like lung cancer
Dr. Yan Li, co-lead author of the study and a microbiologist at West China Hospital of Stomatology at Sichuan University, said: “Our finding could lead to a potential new strategy for the treatment of COPD.
Periodontitis results from the build-up of untreated plaque, a sticky film made up mainly of bacteria.
Over time, plaque can harden into tartar and cause gum tissue to become irritated and inflamed. This creates deep gaps between the teeth and gums where bacteria thrive, resulting in bleeding or swollen gums, bad breath and tooth loss.
Previous studies have shown that gum disease is a risk factor for many diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.
This is because gum disease increases inflammation, which signals the body that something is wrong. This triggers an immune response, and when that response is too strong, it can increase the risk of chronic disease.
Additional studies, including some led by Dr. Li and co-lead author Dr. Boyu Tang, have demonstrated that the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis plays an important role in gum disease by destroying the tissues that support teeth.
For the new work, the researchers infected mice with both the bacteria and COPD. Animals were infected with COPD by exposure to cigarette smoke.
By testing mouse lung tissue, they found that Porphyromonas gingivalis activated the immune cell production of γ-delta T cells and M2 macrophages.
This created cytokines, which, in excess, can increase inflammation in the body, leading to a worsening of conditions such as COPD.
Dr Tang said: “By enhancing periodontal therapy and targeting the inhibition of γ-delta T cells and M2 macrophages, we may be able to help control the progression of COPD.
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes airflow obstruction.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this leads to difficulty breathing, as well as wheezing, chest tightness, chronic cough, frequent respiratory infections, lack of energy, unintentional weight loss, and swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs.
Smoking is the most important risk factor for COPD. When it develops, it can increase the risk of heart problems, high blood pressure and lung cancer.
According to the World Health Organization, COPD is the sixth leading cause of death worldwide. It affects 16 million Americans.
Meanwhile, about 40 percent of Americans over 30 have gum disease.
The researchers plan to conduct further experiments in humans.
Dr Lee said: ‘If exposure to secondhand smoke could be extended over a longer period of time, these changes may be more pronounced.
“We will further conduct additional studies in humans to confirm the mechanism.”
The team plans to recruit patients with both conditions and offer periodontitis treatment, then compare lung function and immune cell counts before and after.
The study was published Friday in the journal mSystems.
