[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/gum-disease-is-a-risk-factor-for-sever-covid-19-illness\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/gum-disease-is-a-risk-factor-for-sever-covid-19-illness\/","headline":"Gum Disease: A Risk Factor for Sever Covid-19 Illness","name":"Gum Disease: A Risk Factor for Sever Covid-19 Illness","description":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”HeaderSection” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”z-index: 0;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header background_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” module_id=”top-header” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ title_font_size=”25px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/COVID_higher_risk_gum_disease.jpg” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”” min_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”height: 350px;” background_url=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/faqs.jpg” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Gum Disease Is a Risk Factor for Severe Covid-19 Illness” _builder_version=”4.10.1″ title_font_size=”25px” background_color=”#0aaaaf” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”220px” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||8px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100px; padding: 20px;” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ […]","datePublished":"2021-02-12","dateModified":"2021-08-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"admin","url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/author\/admin\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7e8332d597554647ad1a751e441d0749?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7e8332d597554647ad1a751e441d0749?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Dr Colin Priestland","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/index.png","url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/index.png","width":577,"height":143}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/COVID_higher_risk_gum_disease.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/COVID_higher_risk_gum_disease.jpg","height":400,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/gum-disease-is-a-risk-factor-for-sever-covid-19-illness\/","about":["Latest News and Information","NQ Surgical"],"wordCount":1904,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”HeaderSection” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”z-index: 0;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header background_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” module_id=”top-header” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ title_font_size=”25px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/COVID_higher_risk_gum_disease.jpg” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”” min_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”height: 350px;” background_url=”https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/faqs.jpg” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Gum Disease Is a Risk Factor for Severe Covid-19 Illness” _builder_version=”4.10.1″ title_font_size=”25px” background_color=”#0aaaaf” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”220px” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||8px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100px; padding: 20px;” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ min_height=”671px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|12%|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” min_height=”723px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Severe Covid-19 Infection and Coexisting Chronic DiseasePatients with severe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) related conditions such as pneumonia, are frequently older patients, particularly those suffering chronic medical conditions including:ObesityDiabetesHypertensionChronic Lung DiseaseModerate to Severe AsthmaChronic Kidney DiseaseLiver DiseasePatients suffering from obesity, diabetes and hypertension, suffer the most unfavourable outcomes in COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalisation, ICU admission and artificial ventilation.Patients with COVID-19 commonly display symptoms of a high fever, cough, breathlessness, and other complications associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome.However the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection may affect multiple organs including the kidneys and liver but appears to most commonly affect the respiratory system causing severe pneumonia. Gum Disease Prevalence and General HealthConsiderable evidence has been published since the 1980\u2019s for a relationship between gum disease(periodontitis) and other chronic medical diseases.\u00a0 \u00a0Chronic periodontitis is very prevalent affecting around 30% of the overall population and up to 60% of older people.\u00a0\u00a0This represents a huge number of patients and a massive need for dental manpower to both diagnose and treat this huge pool of oral disease.\u00a0\u00a0 Risk Factors for Gum Disease: Plaque ControlWhile inadequate plaque control is a known causative factor for gum disease, there appears to be an additional common thread in the cause of this condition involving an excessive immunological response and an autoimmune nature to the destruction of the bone supporting the teeth. Family HistoryIt is known that those who suffer from the more severe forms of periodontitis often have a family history of gum disease and premature tooth loss.\u00a0\u00a0This appears to relate to the genetic codes that are passed on by parents that determine everything from eye and hair colour to how the immune system functions.\u00a0\u00a0It has been stated that many of those with advanced chronic periodontitis exhibit a immunological \u201chyperactive inflammatory phenotype\u201d. Other Risk FactorsIn addition to inadequate plaque control, other known risk factors for periodontitis include:Increasing agesmoking including e-cigarettes,\u00a0\u00a0co-existing diabetescoexisting chronic medical conditions (chronic kidney disease, cardiac disease, liver disease) Oral Bacteria and Respiratory InfectionIn view of these findings it has been proposed that improving plaque control reducing the bacterial load of the mouth and improving oral health will contribute to reducing the risk of respiratory disease and the risk of more severe COVID-19 related conditions with a consequent reduction in the risk of ICU admission, artificial ventilation and death. Covid Immune ResponseThe severity of COVID-19 illness appears to be related to an excessive immune response with the release of multiple Immune chemicals known as cytokines and lymphokines.\u00a0\u00a0This has been\u00a0\u00a0described as a \u201ccytokine storm\u201d.The sudden massive immune activity leads to massive collateral tissue damage that can affect several organs.\u00a0\u00a0Commonly the severe tissue damage is seen in the connective tissue of the lungs leading to a build up of tissue fluid\u00a0\u00a0and the collection of various immune cells within the lung tissues.\u00a0\u00a0This cellular (pneumocytes, lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes) and tissue fluid collection in the lungs causes breathing to become difficult and ineffective hence the need for artificial ventilation. Oral and Medical HealthSince the early 1980\u2019s it has been\u00a0\u00a0reported that oral health has a significant impact on general health.\u00a0Gum disease known as chronic periodontitis is caused by oral biofilm (plaque) where bacterial waste products trigger an immune defence reaction by the host involving cellular and humoral immune reactions.\u00a0\u00a0These immune defence reactions lead to the release of multiple immune chemicals known as cytokines.\u00a0\u00a0These highly active immune chemicals transit through the body reaching distant organs having distant systemic effects.It is these distant effects of immune substances that may enhance the development of systemic diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease (stroke).Research shows that poor oral health increases complications of systemic chronic\u00a0\u00a0diseases like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and liver disease.\u00a0\u00a0 Plaque and PneumoniaHigh numbers of respiratory pathogens found in the oral cavity may also relate to the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia, the mechanism of which may involve aspiration of oral bacteria into the lungs and colonisation of the oropharynx and respiratory epithelium by bacteria that possess the capability to modify the host response to facilitate colonisation, infection and severe immune reactions. General Health Effects PeriodontitisThe opposite relationship has also been demonstrated where obesity and diabetes predispose to chronic periodontitis. SummaryEffective personal oral hygiene and professional dental care reduces the prevalence of respiratory diseases in the high risk population in intensive care units.\u00a0Older adults and people of any age who have chronic medical conditions such as chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart conditions or chronic kidney disease are at high risk for developing severe illness due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.\u00a0Poor oral health increases the risk of developing or exacerbating chronic medical conditions. Therefore, improving oral health in people of any age reduces their risk of developing chronic medical conditions and may reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease.\u00a0\u00a0[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”#023b6d” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ header_font=”|on||on|” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”|||15px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]BOOK AN APPOINTMENT[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]CALL US TODAY\u00a007 4725 1656[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_contact_form captcha=”off” email=”admin@nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au” title=”Enquiry Form” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ border_radii=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” input_border_radius=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Name” field_title=”Name” _builder_version=”3.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”] [\/et_pb_contact_field][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Email” field_title=”Email Address” field_type=”email” _builder_version=”3.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”] [\/et_pb_contact_field][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Message” field_title=”Message” field_type=”text” _builder_version=”3.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”] [\/et_pb_contact_field][\/et_pb_contact_form][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Gum Disease: A Risk Factor for Sever Covid-19 Illness","item":"https:\/\/nqsurgicaldentistry.com.au\/gum-disease-is-a-risk-factor-for-sever-covid-19-illness\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]