Will not brushing teeth for a long time cause pneumonia? Periodontitis is related to so many systemic diseases...

Periodontitis is the most common oral disease, so many people tend to ignore it and do not take it seriously.

But recently some experts have said that people with periodontal disease are more likely to suffer from lung diseases.

Could not brushing your teeth for a long time cause pneumonia? Experts say: There is indeed a connection!

When you have periodontitis, the amount of local bacteria in your mouth will increase significantly, and the virulence of the bacteria will also increase. If your immune system is low, the chance of lung infection will increase significantly .

Not only that, periodontitis is even related to many systemic diseases.

What is periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease caused by microorganisms in dental plaque.

It generally develops from initial gingivitis to deeper areas, causing inflammation and destruction of periodontal tissues, and eventually leading to loosening and falling of teeth.

It is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in our country.

Periodontitis can be divided into many types, among which chronic periodontitis (PC) is the most common one.

Chronic periodontitis is most common in adults but can also occur in children and adolescents.

For a long time, people have had very insufficient understanding of periodontitis, and it has always been considered a natural phenomenon that teeth become loose and fall out as people age.

But from the perspective of modern medicine, tooth loss in the elderly is not inevitable, and periodontitis is the primary cause of loose and falling teeth.

The fourth national oral health epidemiological survey showed that the periodontal health rate in my country's 55-64 age group was only 5.0%, and the periodontal health rate in the 65-75 age group was only 9.3%.

The periodontal health of middle-aged people is not optimistic either. Among residents aged 35-44, the detection rate of dental tartar in the mouth is 96.7%, and the detection rate of gingival bleeding is 87.4%.

Many people have poor awareness of periodontal health, which can easily lead to the gradual development of early chronic periodontitis, destroying periodontal supporting tissues and ultimately causing teeth to loosen and fall out.

Is periodontitis related to systemic diseases?

Periodontitis not only affects the local health of the oral cavity, but is also related to systemic diseases.

Local periodontal inflammation can destroy the integrity of the epithelium, causing periodontal pathogens and inflammatory mediators associated with chronic inflammation to enter the blood circulation system, thereby causing a systemic inflammatory response.

A large number of epidemiological surveys have shown that periodontitis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and increases the risk of myocardial infarction.

Type 2 diabetes and periodontitis are closely related and influence each other.

Periodontitis is also closely related to the occurrence and development of diseases of the respiratory system, immune system, nervous system, etc.

The pathogenic bacteria of periodontitis are closely related to the occurrence and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Some studies also believe that there is a significant correlation between periodontitis and the risk of pancreatic cancer .

Therefore, it is necessary to realize that periodontitis is not just a local oral problem, but periodontal health is closely related to overall health.

What is the cause of periodontitis?

The main cause of periodontitis is local irritation.

Microorganisms in the mouth will gather when oral hygiene is poor, forming a layer of dental plaque biofilm that adheres to the teeth . This plaque biofilm is not easy to remove and is the initiating factor of periodontitis.

Poor oral hygiene habits, tartar accumulation, poor tooth shape and arrangement, and other factors can all promote plaque accumulation , leading to worsening periodontitis.

Systemic diseases are also closely related to the occurrence and development of periodontitis.

In addition, smoking is also an important risk factor for periodontitis.

There is generally no obvious discomfort in the early stages of periodontitis. The main symptoms are bleeding when brushing teeth or eating, or bad taste in the mouth, but these symptoms are mild and easily ignored.

When teeth become loose, chewing becomes weak or painful, or even the periodontium becomes swollen and pus is discharged, periodontitis has usually developed to the late stage, and it is difficult to achieve satisfactory results through treatment at this time.

How to prevent periodontitis?

The most basic and effective way to prevent periodontitis is to maintain personal oral hygiene and master the correct brushing method.

It is recommended to use the horizontal vibrating brushing method , brush your teeth every morning and evening, with each brushing time not less than 3 minutes. At the same time, use dental floss, interdental brushes, water flossers and other tools to clean the adjacent surfaces of teeth.

However, the effect of brushing teeth is limited. Teeth cleaning is also one of the main means to prevent periodontal disease. It is generally recommended to have teeth cleaning at least once a year.

If you already have symptoms such as loose teeth and bleeding gums, don't panic. Go to a specialist hospital in time and ask a professional periodontist for systematic treatment. Most patients can regain periodontal health.

Expert of this article: Wang Yuxuan, PhD in Stomatology, Peking University Health Science Center