06/30/2020
The Importance of Periodontal Health during the Pandemic
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the gum tissue and supporting jawbone around teeth. There is significant evidence that many individuals who exhibit periodontitis have a genetic pre-disposition for producing high amounts of inflammation throughout their bodies. In fact, treating periodontitis can decrease whole body inflammation as the infected periodontal tissues are an important reservoir for production of the molecules that contribute to the inflammatory process termed the "cytokine response". One of these substances, IL-6, is predominant in those COVID-19 patients who go on to have severe respiratory and lung complications. Currently that accounts for about 5% of all COVID-19 patients worldwide, however much less in the USA. A recent study in Germany suggested that high IL-6 levels may foreshadow severe respiratory symptoms in these patients. Recently, the inclusion of the anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone, has been studied in treating severely ill COVID-19 patients in England. Outcomes were improved by 30% in those patients given this anti-inflammatory medication. It is thought to calm the "inflammatory storm" experienced by those COVID-19 patients who become seriously ill.
Staying healthy is an important aspect of managing COVID-19. Those at greatest risk for respiratory complications exhibit what is termed "co-morbidities" such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis. Periodontitis has been implicated in having an inflammatory role in all of these conditions. This leads us to emphasize the importance of maintaining good health including periodontal health. We urge our patients to treat active periodontitis, to strive for periodontal health, and maintain a healthy life style to keep whole body inflammation under control. This includes diet, smoking cessation, exercise and oral health.
