Respiratory Conditions and Oral Health
Respiratory conditions are generally acute or chronic in nature.
They affect the respiratory system including the lungs, bronchi
and the passages that transfer air from the
mouth as well as nose into the lungs.
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are regarded as the two most prevalent chronic respiratory conditions that are associated with poor health of both Australians and New Zealanders. Anatomically, the upper respiratory tract is a continuation of the oral cavity, which is considered a potential reservoir of respiratory pathogens. An array of evidence has emerged to support oral health-respiratory condition-relationships. Accordingly, poor oral health has shown to contribute to chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer. Importantly, periodontal disease is regarded as a potential risk factor for these conditions.
The professional pamphlet of this special topic discusses in detail, the clinical features of common respiratory conditions as well as their clinical presentation in the oral cavity. Additionally, it emphasizes the dental management of patients with respiratory conditions and prevention of oral diseases in them. The patient pamphlet describes how common respiratory conditions present in the mouth, why maintaining good oral health in patients with respiratory conditions is important and how to prevent dental diseases in them.
Pamphlet orders
Multiple copies of patient pamphlets are available for ordering via the University of Adelaide Online Shop.
