Gum Disease Linked to COVID Complications

Another Reason for Our Murrieta Community to Stay On Top of Our Oral Health

Gum Disease is Now Linked to COVID Complications

Gum disease has now been linked to COVID complications. This disease (also known as periodontal disease) is a serious condition that affects the tissue that surrounds the teeth. If not treated properly, the gum and bone begin to pull away from the teeth and form pockets where debris collects and can then become infected.

What causes gum disease?

  • Poor Oral Health
  • Plaque
  • Hormonal Changes
  • Illness
  • Smoking
  • Family History

The Gum Disease and COVID Link

Medical Xpress, the web’s leading web-based science, research, and technology news service, is reporting that COVID-19 patients with gum disease are at least three times more likely to experience complications from COVID-19 and are 4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator.

The most shocking statistic is that those with gum disease are 9 times more likely to die when compared to those without.

Why is gum disease putting patients at higher risk?

In the study of 568 patients, results showed that inflammation caused by gum disease opens the door for COVID-19 to become more aggressive. Inflammation caused by gum disease coupled with the inflammatory response caused by COIVD-19 can create a fatal combination.

More Reasons to Treat Gum Disease

So now you know that gum disease could increase the chances of having COVID complications but there are a variety of other seemingly unrelated health problems that gum disease could be playing a larger role in.

A growing body of newer research suggests that periodontitis may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, respiratory disease, heart disease, and more.

What can you do to fight periodontitis?

We know that all of this can seem pretty scary but the good news is gum disease is preventable and treatable!

With over 30 years of dental experience, we at Golden Triangle Dentistry are committed to providing the best care for the Murrieta community and beyond. Our top priority is ensuring optimal oral health for our patients and making sure that they are educated on all topics about oral hygiene so that advanced oral health issues are avoided at all costs.

To avoid gum disease, we recommend that our patients:

  • Maintain a regular teeth cleaning schedule with us. We advise healthy patients visit us two times annually and periodontal maintenance patients three to four times annually
  • Brush and floss or soft pick your teeth twice a day
  • Brush at the gumline at a 45-degree angle into the tissue
  • Keep your toothbrush germ-free by storing it in an upright position and letting it dry between uses
  • Use mouthwash, formulated to fight bacteria, daily

Symptoms of gum disease:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Tender or bleeding gums
  • Pain when chewing
  • Loose teeth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

If you are diagnosed with or think you may have gum disease we can help you. Call us today to make an appointment so that we can help get your oral and overall health back on track.

Dr. William Neff, DDS, Murrieta’s most trusted dentist since 1991.

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