During this time when health is on everyone’s mind, staying healthy has become an important component of everyone’s routine. One aspect to staying healthy also includes your dental health. More evidence is becoming available that the health of your teeth and gums impacts your immune health and your body’s response to the Coronavirus. A recent study has linked gum disease to COVID-19 deaths. Aspirated bacteria from your mouth may serve as reservoir for Coronavirus.
A three-month study by a Los Angeles dental surgeon and South African healthcare researcher finds a strong link between COVID-19 deaths and gum disease. The study, released August 18, 2020, found patients with gum disease release high levels of a harmful protein that spreads to the lungs, triggering a life-threatening respiratory crisis.
COVID patients with high levels of IL-6 (A protein that promotes inflammation) have a 22 times greater chance of being placed on a ventilator. Bacteria from inflamed gums can be aspirated and adhere to the lung epithelium, promoting infection. This harmful protein, IL-6, causes increased inflammation. The study found that if you get COVID the high levels of IL-6, put you at a much greater chance of being placed on a ventilator and, consequently, an increased chance of death. The authors cite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics that indicate of all COVID patients on ventilators since the pandemic began, nearly 80% have died. A study published in May indicated the rate of recovery had increased to 64% as treatment methods improved.
The study by U.S. dental surgeon Dr. Shervin Molayem and South African scientist Carla Pontes suggests COVID patients with gum disease are more susceptible to a respiratory crisis known as a cytokine storm, essentially an overreaction of the body’s immune system.
“Gum disease has been linked to other breathing ailments, including pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, so we weren’t surprised to find a link to respiratory problems with COVID-19,” Molayem said in a press release. “What shocked us was the discovery of the protein’s devastating, life-threatening impact to patients once they’re hospitalized. One tiny, inflammatory protein robbed them of their ability to breathe!”
Bacteria from inflamed gums can be aspirated and adhere to the lung epithelium, promoting infection and subsequently showing up in lung fluids. The bacteria cause secondary infections that can serve as a reservoir for the coronavirus. Mechanical ventilation decreases clearance of oral secretions, increasing the bacterial load and probability of pneumonia development.
“As the death toll keeps climbing, the CDC now predicts the virus will be among the leading causes of death in the United States, just behind heart disease and cancer,” Molayem said. “Now … we’ve confirmed periodontitis makes it even deadlier.”
The researchers said they hope their findings compel nursing homes to improve dental screening protocols, since 80% of all COVID-19 deaths have been among the elderly, and urge hospitals and emergency room doctors to check new patients for gum disease.
It is easier to stay healthy than to become healthy. Now more than ever please stay current with your dental cleaning frequency. Keep taking your vitamins, supplements, getting good sleep and exercise. The best way to stay healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle. If it’s been some time since you have had a dental examination and teeth cleaning, do not delay. Schedule your dental appointment as soon as possible. Dental offices are one of the safest places to visit with all the precautions that are in place to maintain infection control. It is our commitment to keep are patients safe and healthy.
Dr. Craig Aebli, DDS, MS, FAGD has been promoting good oral health for more than 30 years. Oakport Dental, 2421 S. Maple Ave.