Periodontal gum disease loosens teeth, and can destroy the underlying bone. Previously we wondered whether an infection on the path of an invading virus could worsen symptoms. Now research in Nature Journal confirms advanced gum disease boosts COVID severity to an alarming extent. However, we can prevent this by regularly brushing and flossing.
COVID Severity Boosted in Cases of Advanced Gum Disease
British Dental Journal released a report of gum disease complications based on a study of over 500 patients. Briefly speaking, their March 26, 2021 findings were as follows:
1… COVID patients with severe gum disease were up to nine times more likely to die from coronavirus.
2… Severely infected COVID patients were also five times more likely to spend time on a breathing ventilator.
Moreover, U.S. Centers for Disease Control confirms periodontal gum disease is surprisingly common in the United States as follows:
1… 47.2% of adults aged 30 and older have some form of the infection.
2… But this increases to 71.2 % among adults 65 years of age and older.
The condition is commoner among men than women (56.4% vs 38.4%), and affects two thirds of people below the federal poverty line. Current smokers, and those with less than a high school education are similarly prone.
Could the Mouth be a Key Player in COVID-19 Infection?
Nature Journal published an update on October 27, 2021. This more recent research correlates severe COVID-19 with age, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and smoking. This information alerted researchers to the possibility of gum disease being a common denominator.
Sure enough, they found gum disease also links across to heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and arthritis. Apparently the link is the immune system releasing a cytokine storm of infected molecules. Now this is confirmed, what happens next?
It’s a confirmed fact advanced gum disease boosts COVID-19 severity. However, researcher Faleh Tamimi believes this contributory risk is one of the easiest to handle. ‘Basically, what we need to do is encourage people to take care of their oral health,’ he explains. ‘And you know, there’s no harm in brushing and flossing your teeth.’
Research
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Preview Image: Gum Disease in United States
British Medical Journal Research Report
