A Gummy Risk

COVID-19 & Gum Diseases

“Maintaining healthy teeth and gums in an effort to avoid developing or worsening periodontal disease is absolutely crucial in the midst of a global pandemic like COVID-19, which is also known to trigger an inflammatory response.” — American Academy of Periodontology

One of the more worrying things about COVID-19 is its wide range of sequential complications in people who get infected. One of such major complications involves the oral cavity! There is a prominent relation between the oral hygiene & the effects of COVID-19.

Periodontitis (commonly known as gum disease) is a serious chronic disease which is caused by the buildup of bacteria between the teeth and gums known as Plaque. Without its proper management, it can cause bleeding gums, bad breath, painful abscesses (pus), loosening of teeth, damage to the enamel (outermost layer of the teeth) and eat away at the underlying jawbone.

A new research was conducted using the Electronic Health Records of the State of Qatar between February and July 2020, they examined patient records with extreme COVID-19 complications (death, ICU admissions or ventilation). The control group used for this study included COVID‐19 patients discharged with minor symptoms; the periodontal health in the two groups was examined by their dental radiographs. COVID-19 patients with periodontitis display high levels of biomarkers linked to chronic disease squeals like white blood cell levels, D‐dimer, and c-reactive protein.

The research, which examined more than 500 patients, found those with severe gum disease were up to nine times to die from COVID-19. It was also found that the chances to need ventilation was up to five times for people with oral diseases and were at least three times more likely to experience COVID‐19 complications including death and/or ICU admission. Periodontal disease has been linked to several other serious conditions in addition to COVID-19, including diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Blood on your toothbrush or in the toothpaste you spit out after brushing is the first sign of gum disease. Bad taste may be observed by the patient in the mouth as gums may also bleed when eating. It may also make the breath unpleasant. Preventing periodontitis involves long-term efforts which involve good oral hygiene, daily flossing, brushing, and regular dental check-ups. Removing the plaque from around the teeth is important for managing and preventing gum disease. The most effective way to keep gum disease at bay is to brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes twice a day and to also clean in between the teeth with interdental brushes or floss daily. Getting a specialized mouthwash also aids in keeping the bacteria at bay.