COVID 19 and Gums
As more is learned about COVID-19, it has been shown that several complications and medical conditions can arise in patients that were infected with virus. In one recent study, gum disease was such complication found to be associated with severe COVID infection. To better understand the association between COVID-19 infection and gum disease, it helps to understand what gum disease is and how it is linked to other complications.
Gum Disease Overview
Impacting the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums and bones around them, gum disease is a common dental disease that by some estimations, affects 90% of the population. Unlike tooth decay, which causes holes in the tooth, gum disease causes holes in the bones supporting the tooth roots. The primary cause of gum disease is failing to properly floss and brush on a daily basis and not regularly visiting the dentist. As a result of this neglect, bacteria in the mouth thrive and allow plaque to accumulate.
As a result of the bacterial gum infection, the body responds through inflammation. During this process, certain proteins are released that may cause an excessive inflammatory response capable of damaging tissues elsewhere in the body. Should those products enter the blood stream via infected gum pockets, they can go to other organs and potentially cause damage.
Gum Disease and COVID-19
The Journal of the California Dental Association published a study in October 2020 that suggests patients hospitalized for COVID-19 that had underlying gum disease, may be at an elevated risk of respiratory failure. The study further indicated that chronic periodontitis symptoms, like bone loss, can cause more severe coronavirus complications. This is believed to be due to more inflammatory products circulating throughout the body and therefore, a greater potential to damage the lungs. Should the lungs be damaged, respiratory failure can occur and patients hospitalized with COVID-19, may have to be put on a ventilator.
Despite research being in its early stages, is it established that periodontal health is linked to overall systemic health. There is mounting scientific evidence supporting the link between periodontal disease and other health complications. For instance, years of research has demonstrated that diabetic patients have a great susceptibility to periodontal disease. When diabetes is uncontrolled, patients are more susceptible to infection. The effect of diabetes and gum disease is known as “bi-directional” in that both influence each other. As such, gum disease not only occurs in patients with uncontrolled diabetes at a higher rate but the inflammation that occurs from the gum disease, makes it more difficult to control the diabetes.
Research has pointed to associations between gum disease and other systemic disease, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pulmonary disease
- Pregnancy
- Pancreatic and kidney cancers
- Alzheimer’s disease
While everyone is susceptible to periodontal disease, some may have a higher risk. Individuals over 65 years of age, as well as African Americans and Hispanic populations, have higher rates of periodontitis. Prevention is vital to combating gum disease, so it is important to floss and brush the teeth daily. In addition, patients should visit their dentist every six months for exams.