With Covid being such a prevalent topic in today’s media and news, it’s important to know that recent studies have shown a connection between gum disease (periodontitis) and the Corona Virus. It seems that not only is it important to cover your mouth, it’s also important that your mouth be healthy in order to prevent the spread of this pandemic.
The latest research and report, titled “The Mouth COVID Connection” (MCC), found a disturbing link between the bacteria produced by swollen, red, bleeding gums and bone loss and COVID-19, which has claimed more than 650,000 lives and continues to baffle infection disease experts.
Why You Should Be Concerned
The study found that hospitalised COVID-19 patients with high levels of IL-6 (Interleukin), a harmful protein produced by gum disease, were at significantly greater risk of suffering life-threatening respiratory complications. The MCC study suggests that COVID-19 patients with bad gums, are at risk of generating harmful levels of IL-6 proteins that spread to their lungs and, when combined with the COVID-19 virus, can trigger a life-threatening respiratory crisis.
MCC researchers describe the IL-6 protein as the chemical culprit that makes COVID-19 deadly. Produced by gum disease bacteria, the protein enters the bloodstream, often in large amounts, causing inflammation throughout the body but dealing a particularly devastating blow to lungs infected with COVID-19. One tiny, inflammatory protein robbed them of their ability to breathe!
What You Can Do to Prevent Periodontitis
Gum disease is usually painless and slow to progress, so it can easily reach an advanced stage before you notice anything wrong.
The daily removal of plaque through brushing and flossing as well as scheduling regular dental appointments for professional teeth cleaning are the best ways to minimize your risk for gum disease. Depending on your oral health condition, our dentist can design a personalized program of home oral care and scheduled teeth cleanings to help you prevent periodontitis.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Call us at (915) 621-2880 today or visit our Contact Us page to send us a message. Our professional dental team are highly trained in gum disease prevention which is more important now than ever!