I know, I know, we’re all tired of Covid-19! Can we just go back to Covid-18 and paying our taxes? Seriously though just when things are starting to look bright, I bring bad news! Vaccines are being distributed, numbers are starting to go down, at least during the time of this writing, and counties across the country are starting to reopen their economies. Despite this we are still reminded of Covid-19! And gum disease isn’t helping.
Let me illustrate this example using the NBA, since it’s currently the NBA Playoffs.
Chris Paul & Covid-19
If you’ve been watching the NBA Playoffs, you may have Noticed that potential MVP, Chris Paul, is having to sit out. Now Chris Paul has been a great talent for many years! He has come close to advancing in the playoffs many times, but either he or some other key player would get injured and then his chance to advance would be gone. This year however he’s led a great Suns team to the playoffs.
They have been destroying their opponents. Yet Chris Paul is going to miss at least one game, maybe more, and this time it’s not due to injuries. In fact, he’s really healthy, if you don’t include Covid-19. Chris Paul recently tested positive for Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated. He’ll miss a few games while he quarantines.
Gum Disease & Covid-19
So, it looks like even if you’re healthy and have been vaccinated you can still get Covid-19. One way to boost your immune system is by taking care of your oral health. Let me explain. The University of Utah has recently expressed that people who suffer from gum disease have a higher likelihood of catching Covid-19. First, let’s find out what gum disease is.
What is Gum Disease?
A common type of dental disease that affects the supporting structures of the teeth such as gum tissue and the bone surrounding the teeth. It can cause holes in the bones that support the roots of the teeth. Don’t worry if you have some sort of gum disease, you’re not alone. Gum disease is so common that an estimated 30% of the population suffers from it in the United States & 90% in the UK.
Not having proper oral care can cause gum disease. Even if you think you take care of your teeth, you may still suffer from gum disease. It’s hard to clean inside the gums if you’re not visiting your dentist a few times a year.
If you get a bacterial infection in the gums, your body will respond via inflammation. Inflammatory products can then enter the bloodstream through infected gum pockets around the teeth. Once in the blood stream, the products can reach other organs and cause tissue damage.
Journal of California Dental Association
The JCDA suggests that patients with gum disease may be at higher risk for respiratory failure. David Okano, DDS, MS says “they have higher levels of inflammatory products circulating, and therefore, have more potential to cause damage in the lungs”. Remember Covid-19 attacks the lungs.
Your Mouth is The Gateway to Your Body
Everything you consume passes through the mouth first. Studies are starting to show how gum disease is associated to other systemic diseases including:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Pulmonary Disease
- Certain cancers
- Alzheimer’s Disease
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
Well as we discussed in the article it’s hard to have healthy gums if you don’t visit your dentist. Flossing and brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day can help. The problem is that today everything is so readably accessible. We consume a bunch of sugar from pastry’s, drinks, pasta, breads, sauces, I mean almost everything has sugar, we drink alcohol whenever we want, and smoking vape pens is hugely popular.
All these things are bad for your oral health. The best way to combat gum disease, and still enjoy your life the way you see fit, is by visiting your dentist at least every six months.
Conclusion
Things are finally starting to slowly get back to normal. However, it appears that even healthy, vaccinated people are still able to catch Covid-19. It’s important we everything we can to make sure we don’t catch Covid-19. If you haven’t visited you dentist in while, we suggest you do. A simple teeth cleaning will go a long way in the fight against Covid-19.
