Is Gum Disease linked to Covid-19 complications?
It has been almost a year and a half since the pandemic came into our lives. A lot of research has been made and we learning more about COVID-19. Medical researchers have discovered that individuals with gum disease are considerably more at risk to develop severe COVID-19 complications.
“It is well-established that systemic inflammation is not only linked with periodontal disease but to several other respiratory diseases as well,” explained Dr. James Wilson, President of the AAP. “Therefore, 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.”
According to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of all Americans aged 30 and older have periodontitis, the more advanced form of gum disease. This equals approximately 64.7 million Americans.
As indicated by the Oral Health Foundation, gum infections can be readily anticipated and stopped in their beginning phases.
One of the primary indications of gum disease is blood on your toothbrush or when you start to notice your own mal odor from your breath more frequently. Any smells from the mouth are an indication that bacteria is finding a place to hide in your mouth, usually around the roots of the teeth, and isn’t being removed regularly.
Eliminating the plaque and tartar from around your teeth is essential for overseeing and forestalling gum disease so continue to brush softly across the gum line, in this scenario, more time and less force is the key.
The best method to keep gum disease under control is to brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day and to likewise clean between your teeth with interdental brushes and floss daily. You may likewise find that getting a particular mouth rinse will help, especially one that continues fluoride as this fluoride ion helps strengthen weakened enamel.
In addition, it is important to get an appointment with your dentist for a dental exam. The dentist will take measurements of the gum height around every tooth to check whether there is any sign that periodontal infection. The sooner the disease is recognized, the better the chances of resolving it are.
For more information about gum disease, or in the event that you are worried about your oral wellbeing, you can contact our dental office in Brookline, MA. Alpha Plus Dental Center is open Monday to Saturday and can be reached at (617) 274-8494. To schedule, your dental checkup contact us online.