Brushing your teeth regularly and maintaining proper oral care can play a big role in the fight against COVID-19 since patients with gum disease are nine times more likely to die from the bug, according to new research.
Covid patients with gum disease NINE TIMES more likely to die, study warns thesun.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thesun.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By
Feb 08, 2021 11:03 AM EST
A recent report has warned that COVID-19 gum disease patients are nine times more likely to suffer from the killer virus. Researchers have also discovered that gum disease patients are 4.5 times more likely to use a ventilator.
COVID-19 patients with the oral condition more likely to put in ICU
(Photo : Luis Alvarenga/Getty Images)
NITEROI, BRAZIL - JULY 01: Dentist Fatima Camara, treats a client in her dental office amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on July 1, 2020 in Niteroi, Brazil. The city of Niteroi authorized the reopening of shopping malls and small and medium-sized street business. The establishments will be able to reopen following distance rules such as reduced opening hours, restricting the flow of people and maintaining hygiene standards.
There is also strong evidence of a bi-directional relationship between the severity of periodontal disease and type 1 and type 2 diabetes control: treatment of periodontal disease has been found to improve blood–sugar levels (Sanz et al, 2018).
Figures from NHS Digital (2020) indicate that dentist attendance among the general UK population is low, so many people with diabetes may be unaware that oral health is linked to control of their diabetes. Given the impact diabetes has on the population, it is important to use every opportunity to promote preventive health messages to the public. If health professionals – including nurses – are aware of these links, they can educate patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting a dental professional, which can be done in a variety of settings.