If the latest breakthroughs in scientific research are to be believed, gum disease, also popularly known as periodontal and periodontitis disease has a very strong connection with our respiratory problems. In fact, numerous experts believe gum problems can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can play a part in the contraction of emphysema, pneumonia and bronchitis. A recent research on the relation between gum and respiratory problems involved almost two hundred patients from different age groups. While fifty percent of the participants were affected by a respiratory system disease like acute bronchitis, COPD or pneumonia, the other fifty percent were healthy subjects without any sign of respiratory disease. Each subject went through a detailed dental examination of their gums. The study discovered that the participants with respiratory system disease had serious gum problems as compared to the controlled group, showing some sort of link between...