Relationship between Periodontal Disease and Respiratory Diseases

The anatomical continuity between the lungs and the oral cavity makes the latter a potential reservoir of respiratory pathogens. The micro-organisms may enter the lung by inhalation, but the most common route of infection is aspiration of what pneumologists have long referred to as oropharyngeal secretions. Therefore, it is possible that oral micro-organisms might infect the respiratory tract. Dental plaque can act as a reservoir for respiratory infections. Microorganisms can be released from the dental plaque into salivary secretions, which are then aspirated into lower respiratory tract to cause respiratory diseases like pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Periodontal diseases and respiratory diseases including bronchial asthma have an inflammatory nature thus mandates a positive correlation between these. This review focuses on the relationship between periodontal diseases and respiratory diseases