Evidence summary: the relationship between oral health and pulmonary disease

Abstract

Introduction This paper is the second of four reviews exploring the relationships between oral health and general medical conditions, in order to support teams within Public Health England, health practitioners and policymakers.Aim This review aimed to explore the most contemporary evidence on whether poor oral health and pulmonary disease occurs in the same individuals or populations, to outline the nature of the relationship between these two health outcomes, and discuss the implication of any findings for health services and future research.Methods The work was undertaken by a group comprising consultant clinicians from medicine and dentistry, trainees, public health, and academics. The methodology involved a streamlined rapid review process and synthesis of the data.Results The results identified a number of systematic reviews of medium to high quality which provide evidence that oral health and oral hygiene habits have an impact on incidence and outcomes of lung diseases, such as pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in people living in the community and in long-term care facilities. The findings are discussed in relation to the implications for service and future research.Conclusion The cumulative evidence of this review suggests an association between oral and pulmonary disease, specifically COPD and pneumonia, and incidence of the latter can be reduced by oral hygiene measures such as chlorhexidine and povidone iodine in all patients, while toothbrushing reduces the incidence, duration, and mortality from pneumonia in community and hospital patients.

Oral Health, Diet, and Frailty at Baseline of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

“…In older adults, poor oral health has been associated with numerous diseases, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes, as well as incident frailty . Frailty is a clinical state in which there is an increase in an individualʼs vulnerability for developing dependency and/or mortality when exposed to a stressor .…”

Inpatients nursing care provided in a tertiary hospital of Nepal

“…In a systematic review, it was found that oral hygiene have an impact on incidence and outcomes of respiratory diseases like pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in people living in the community and in long-term health care facilities. Such incidence can be reduced by oral hygiene measures [11]. Similarly another study conducted in Canada supports the importance of oral care that explains a positive body image and the perception of adequate oral health are linked to increased social contacts, as well as improved health and well-being irrespective of age [12].…”

Povidone‐iodine gargle as a prophylactic intervention to interrupt the transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2

“…", 2004). A systematic review and evidence synthesis summarizing the importance of oral hygiene interventions, including gel/mouthwash, standard oral care and professional oral hygiene protocols in reducing the risk of pneumonia have been documented (Manger et al, 2017).…”