Will Periodontal Disease Increase Risk for Severe Covid-19?

Dec 01, 2020

Periodontal disease (PD) begins at the humble stage of plaque build-up on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky bacteria-laden substancethat lodge on teeth. When not brushed away, it could irritate the gums, making them swollen, sore and possibly infected. This condition is called gingivitis.

By maintaining good oral hygiene, you can effectively treat gum disease. However, letting the plaque develop results in periodontitis. It’s a dental condition that wears off the support structures of your teeth.

Conferring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of American adults have gum disease elements.

Mechanisms of periodontal disease have been well studied and have shown its relation to other health conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, hypertension and even obesity.

At Dental Arts Clearwater, we continue to learn about the effects of covid-19, its severity, outcomes and relation to other health conditions. Read along to learn more.

Periodontal Disease and Covid-19

Interestingly, some of the health conditions associated with gum disease, such as diabetes, have increased the risks of severe Covid-19 disease. Covid-19 is an illness brought by the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

The systemic and dysbiotic factors and comorbidities affect systemic health, so the effects of the periodontal disease contribute to severe covid-19.

Dr. Annie Auletta notes that periodontitis is a disease that stems from the destruction of structures that anchor teeth in the mouth and causes severe gum inflammation and infections. The most common causes of PD are poor oral hygiene, smoking tobacco, various medication, age factors, diabetes, obesity and genetic inheritance.

PD could be significantly associated with severe covid-19 if its effects have elevated to cause systemic body conditions like diabetes, lung diseases, asthma and hypertension.

An oral examination is agreat way to determine PD’s presence and, hence,identify a risk of severe Covid-19 effectively.

Most disorders and risk factors reported among patients with Covid-19 couldquickly intensify periodontal disease development. However, until now, no cases have been reported of oral conditions, including periodontal status in patients at advanced stages of Covid-19.

Periodontal Treatment

It’s essential to treat it as soon as one is diagnosed positive for PD. This counters the chance of periodontal disease raising other health conditions like diabetes, heart, lungs and other disorders that increase the risk for severe Covid-19 ifyou’re infected.

By diagnosing the disease, the chances of it getting worse are minimal. You have betterchances of successful treatment if you adopt a regular healthy oral routine, quit tobacco use, and manage other health conditions you have.

Non-Surgical Treatments

  • Scaling –The Dentist in Auletta, FL, uses a lase or ultrasonic tool to remove tartar and plaque build-up from your teeth surface.
  • Root Planing–Here, root surfaces are smoothened to discourage tartar and bacteria build-up that contribute to severe inflammation. Bacterial also delay reattachment of the gums to the root surfaces and slows down healing.
  • Antibiotics – Bacterial infection is well treated using topical and oral antibiotics. Topical antibiotics include mouth rinses and gels that drive the antibiotics I spaces between your teeth and pockets where bacteria lodge. This way, the infection is effectively controlled.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment may be necessary if your periodontitis is at advanced levels.

  • Flap Surgery – In this procedure, the dentist makes tiny incisions on your gum, so parts of the gums are lifted for more effective scaling and planing.
  • Soft Tissue Grafts –This process reinforces parts of the receded gum tissue. A small part can be removed from the upper palate or a donor, then attached to the affected site.
  • Bone Grafting – When periodontitis affects the bone surrounding the tooth root, restoration is crucial. The graft can be tiny fragmentsfrom your bone, synthetic bone or a donated bone. Through grafting, there is no more bone loss as your tooth has been held into place.
  • Guided tissue regeneration –After bacteria destroy your jawbone, the regrowth can be simulated using exceptional biocompatible fabrics between the original tooth and the affected bone. This way, unwanted tissues cannot enter the healing area, so the bone comfortably grows back uninterrupted.
  • Tissue-stimulating Proteins – A special gel rich in proteins, similar to those found in developing tooth enamel, is placed to the diseased tooth root. This stimulates the growth of new root and enamel.

Supportive Home Remedies

  • Brush twice a day after every meal
  • Floss daily
  • Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Use mouth rinse recommended by your dentist to minimize plaque
  • Use a soft toothbrush. Replace it after every three months
  • Schedule professional dental cleanings
  • Use a dental stick to clean between your teeth

Use an electric toothbrush. It’s more effective at removing tartar

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