The Relationship Between Infections and Chronic Respiratory Diseases: An Overview

This paper's goal is to review the relationship between infections and chronic respiratory disease, with particular reference to periodontal disease. The link between oral diseases in general, periodontal disease, and respiratory disease remains somewhat controversial. However, with cooperation between dentistry and medicine, the nature of the connection between dental and medical pathology can be better defined. An overview of respiratory disease and some of the factors that can contribute to respiratory infection is presented below, with special reference to infections related to aspiration. Ann Periodontol 2001;6:66-70.