Patients with COVID-19 who suffer from gum disease are nine times more likely to die compared to those without gum issues. Many patients fear visiting the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic due to airborne particles that can spread the virus. However, for individuals with gum problems, proper cleaning and healthcare can indeed save lives.
A new study has confirmed that patients with gum disease who contract COVID-19 are significantly more at risk. An international research team found that COVID-19 patients with gingivitis, a severe form of gum disease, are three times more likely to require intensive care or mechanical ventilation. Approximately half of the global population over the age of 30 suffers from gingivitis, which causes severe pain and bleeding around the gums that line the teeth. If the inflammation is not properly treated, it can spread throughout the body and infect the lungs.
Additionally, some scientists have indicated that COVID-19 patients on ventilators may be particularly vulnerable to pneumonia due to gingivitis, as they are more likely to inhale harmful oral bacteria, greatly increasing their risk of death.
The study's co-author, Professor Lior Shapira from the Hebrew University, stated, "The results suggest that gingivitis and oral health may open the door for COVID-19 to become more dangerous for patients. Therefore, oral care should be part of important health recommendations to mitigate the risk of serious COVID-19 symptoms."
During the study, researchers examined the electronic health records of 568 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from February to July 2020. Among these, 40 experienced severe symptoms that resulted in intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation, or death. The team analyzed whether patients had gum disease, accounting for other factors like body mass index, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking.
The findings revealed that the death risk for COVID-19 patients with gum disease was 8.81 times higher compared to those without. Similarly, the likelihood of ending up in intensive care or on a ventilator was 3.54 and 4.57 times greater, respectively. Shapira noted that if researchers establish a causal relationship between gingivitis and increased mortality and severe symptoms related to COVID-19, then maintaining gum health could become a crucial aspect of care for these patients.
