Is Gum disease a serious risk factor for COVID-19 complications?
As the entire universe is witnessing the corona outbreak and the number of COVID-19 victims climbs up again in recent times, it is crucial to emulate the precautionary steps. The coronavirus infection is associated with many hazardous medical conditions as well. Few corona affected patients died due to respiratory failure is an instance. You might know the fact that aged persons and people with underlying health concerns are at high risk of corona infection.
Recent studies show that people suffering from gum disease are far more likely to get lung problems after infected with corona. We have explained the potential pathways between COVID-19 and infection in gums. Keep reading to know more.
Table of Contents
What is Gum disease?
Gum disease (or) Periodontal disease refers to the infection in gums. In most cases, it begins with plaque – a sticky substance formed over teeth surfaces with the combination of saliva and oral bacteria.
The microbes in plaque build-up affect the tooth’s supporting structures like gum tissues and bones surrounding a tooth. The infected tooth loses its gum support with the progression of infection in gums and ends in the tooth comes out.
In the advanced stage of gum diseases (Periodontitis), oral bacteria secret a toxic substance which when enters into the bloodstream, cardiovascular problems, lung diseases, dementia, and various disorders will occur.
Gum disease victims are highly vulnerable to corona death because of the lung disease provoked by gum infections.
How do some people with gum disease get respiratory illness with COVID-19?
Our body shows an inflammatory response for bacterial infection in gums as the gum pockets formed around the teeth have inflammatory products. Likewise, infection in gums releases a protein called IL6, which also will cause swelling in our body. When those substances enter the bloodstream, it affects the internal organs, followed by tissue damage.
The higher levels of pro-inflammatory proteins like IL6 will cause more damage to the respiratory tract when it spreads to the lungs. This will trigger life-threatening respiratory problems.
When coronavirus enters into the body of people with gum disease, the victim has higher chances of respiratory failure. You might see Doctors said, “Few hospitalized coronavirus patients feel difficult to breathe and require ventilation support“.
To be precise, the systemic inflammation due to gum infections is the main culprit behind the higher risk of such COVID-19 complications.
Bottom line
People who have inflammation already present with periodontal disease have 9x more chances to die from coronavirus infection than those who have healthy mouths. It is because of the respiratory tract complications developed with untreated gum infections.
Doctors also believe that there are biological pathways between periodontal diseases and COVID-19. Hence we recommend everyone to keep your teeth and gums clean with effective oral hygiene activities in this pandemic. Besides brushing twice a day, make sure the space between the teeth also clean with flossing.
Also keep in mind that periodontal disease is prevalent in people with hypertension, diabetes, and various autoimmune diseases. It means such disorders share a correlation with the coronavirus through gum disease. Consult your dentist immediately if you encounter these complaints or notice atypical things in your gums.
