{"id":16,"date":"2021-05-12T14:29:29","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T14:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lincolnparkperio.com\/blog\/?p=16"},"modified":"2024-09-13T19:43:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T19:43:22","slug":"gum-disease-dallas-connected-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parklaneperio.com\/blog\/2021\/05\/12\/gum-disease-dallas-connected-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Gum Disease and COVID-19: The Concerning Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It has long been established that certain medical conditions, including heart disease, morbid obesity, and chronic lung disease, can increase the risk that an individual will suffer from severe COVID-19. But recent research has made it clear that another condition should be added to that list: periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease). In this blog post, we\u2019ll touch on the highlights of that research and discuss what you may be able to do to fight gum disease in Dallas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease Increases the Risk of Severe COVID-19<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology <\/em>considered 568 COVID-19 patients. It was found that people with periodontitis are nine times more likely to die, 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and 4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator than otherwise healthy COVID-19 patients. They also discovered that periodontitis is linked to increased levels of white blood cells and certain types of proteins that are associated with worse disease outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why the Connection?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The researchers behind the aforementioned study believe that the connection between periodontitis and severe COVID-19 boils down to inflammation. Periodontitis causes increased inflammation throughout the body. That inflammation, combined with inflammation from COVID-19, can spark what is called a cytokine storm. Cytokines are molecules that play a role in allowing your cells to communicate with one another. They are an important part of a healthy immune system. However, when too many cytokines are released, it can kill bodily tissues and cause organ damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Can Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The above information paints a grim picture, especially given the fact that roughly half of U.S. adults suffer from some form of gum disease. Even more troubling is the fact that elderly ones who are already at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 are also among those most likely to develop periodontitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important that you do all you can to keep your gums healthy! Here are some tips to help you do so:<\/p>\n\n\n\n