COVID 19 and Gums
As the COVID 19 pandemic has progressed, we have learned a great deal about the ways in which this novel virus interacts with bodily systems; we’ve also seen how it can exacerbate existing health conditions. It is common knowledge at this point that infection with COVID 19 in conjunction with certain conditions such as obesity, diabetes, lung diseases, and even cancer or its treatment can lead to more negative outcomes that infection with that same virus in the absence of these health challenges. Those that live with these conditions have to take more care not to contract the virus, as it can have more severe impacts.
Increasingly, even more is being learned and studied about the ways in which this novel coronavirus interacts with other systems of the body including the oral tissues. While it might seem that oral diseases such as gum disease would have no interaction with a virus that largely attacks the lower respiratory tract, there are in fact some striking correlations and interactions between these two maladies. Like those who live with cancer, diabetes, and other health challenges, those affected by gum disease can also have more negative outcomes when afflicted with COVID 19.
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease is a progressive disease that affects the soft tissues of the mouth before eventually damaging the hard tissues (teeth and bone), as well. It progresses in three stages; the first stage is called gingivitis. Gingivitis develops when bacteria present in built up plaque and tartar on the teeth begins to infect the surrounding gum tissues. Because this calcified detritus cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone, the infection of these tissues will continue until it is treated at the next dental visit.
Fortunately, gum disease in the first stage can be reversed – quite simply so, in fact. All that is required to treat the condition and bring the patient back to good oral health is a thorough dental cleaning by a dental hygienist. This is why it is very important to maintain regular visits to the dentist’s office, and to always get your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.
Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to the next stages: periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. At these stages, the infection of the soft tissues begins to affect the hard tissues. Teeth and even jawbone mass can be lost to advanced gum disease, and at this point, the condition is no longer reversible – it can only be treated.
Gum Disease and COVID 19
At all stages of gum disease, inflammation is present; first, in the soft tissues of the gums, and then in neighboring tissues. While many of the effects of gum disease is limited to the mouth, the infection and inflammation present in these tissues can indeed enter the blood stream, at which point more inflammation can occur in other bodily systems.
Because COVID patients are already battling a tremendous amount of inflammation in the body, the additional inflammatory contributions created by gum disease can have weaken the body and its systems even more. Studies show that COVID patients with underlying gum disease have worse outcomes than those without, likely due to the effects of systemic inflammation.
For this reason, if you have gum disease and are infected with the coronavirus, it is important to share this information with care provider. Prevention, though, is always the best form of medicine, so if you are living with gum disease, please be sure to get vaccinated if you can and continue to mask up, social distance, and take care.