What we’re learning about COVID-19 and Gum Disease
What we’re learning about COVID-19 and Gum Disease does not surprise us. And as Teuscher Dental continues to pursue our values of excellent healthcare and constant improvement, we’ve been researching all we can to ensure your health and safety. Here’s what we are finding out:
What We’re Learning
Studies investigating the link between gum disease and COVID susceptibility/severity are ongoing. But what we know so far is that the inflammatory mediators in gum disease correlate with more severe COVID infections. In other words, there is evidence that the extent of gum disease increases the severity of COVID sickness. Studies are ongoing, and we will keep you updated as more information rolls in. But the early evidence is clear.
“Now that we’ve confirmed periodontitis makes [COVID] even deadlier, if you’re worried that you may have gum disease, your next trip to the dentist may actually save your life”
-Dr Shervin Molayem, founder of UCLA Dental Research Journal
Your Risk
Those in “high risk” groups for COVID are usually also those with a higher incidence of gum disease. This is because of the oral-systemic connection we’ve written about before. And if you are “high risk” for COVID, it’s understandable you’d be cautious about leaving your house. But we strongly recommend that you continue to receive dental care.
Because of COVID quarantining, we have some patients we’re seeing for their first routine dental care in over 9 months. Unfortunately, in many cases their mouth is noticeably less healthy than before. We always recommend regular dental care. But what we’re learning about COVID-19 and Gum Disease shows us that your dental health is ESPECIALLY important during this pandemic.4
We can assure you that we’re doing everything possible to be the safest environment possible for you and your family. Dr Mike has those details in this video. Great news also is that a recent ADA and UAB study showing that dental settings have one of the lowest transmission rates in all of healthcare. We care about you and hope to see you soon! If you have any questions, give us a call. We’re always happy to help.
References:
Thodur Madapusi Balaji, Saranya Varadarajan, U.S. Vishal Rao, A. Thirumal Raj, Shankaragouda Patil, Gururaj Arakeri, Peter A. Brennan.
Oral cancer and periodontal disease increase the risk of COVID 19? A mechanism mediated through furin and cathepsin overexpression, Medical Hypotheses, Volume 144, 2020, 109936, ISSN 0306-9877
Patel, J. and Woolley, J. (2020), Necrotizing periodontal disease: Oral manifestation of COVID‐19. Oral Dis.
