Relationship between respiratory and periodontal health in adults: A case-control study

Aims and Objectives: The colonization of the respiratory pathogens has been found in the oral cavity. In the high-risk patients for lung infection; the risk factor is the high colonization of the respiratory pathogens in the oral cavity. The present study was performed with an aim to investigate the relationship between periodontal health and respiratory diseases. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the individuals who were attending the outpatient department of dentistry and those who signed the informed consent to participate in the study. A total of 198 patients were included in the present study. Ninety-nine patients with respiratory diseases were included in the test group and 99 patients with normal pulmonary function were added in the control group. Spirometry was used for the confirmation of the lung diseases. We had assessed the clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, loss of attachment, and community periodontal index with the help of SPSS software 15 and compared between cases and controls. Results: The mean age of control patients were 35.12 and for respiratory patients was 43.32. There were 65 males and 34 females in case group with respiratory diseases. The controls consisted of 63 males and 36 females. The high scores for various gingival and periodontal indexes in respiratory patients confirmed more periodontal destruction with respect to that group, compared to the nonrespiratory group. Conclusion: It is concluded that a strong association between periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was found. The assessment of the risk factors along with patient education regarding the risk should be done so that suitable intervention strategies can be implemented.