The Role of Oral Microbiota in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Studies have shown that oral microbiota dysbiosis affects patients’ lung function, promoting the development and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this paper, we review the mechanisms potentially linking COPD with periodontitis. Oral microbiota enters the respiratory system through clinical microaspiration to aggravate lung microbiota dysbiosis and induce lung injury by entering the respiratory tract directly. Appropriate interventions for dysbiosis such as periodontal therapy or oral microbial transplantation may prevent the progression of COPD.