Get Your Gum Health Under Control at Integrated Dental Care
Anyone who has been to the dentist probably knows about the importance of flossing and maintaining healthy gums. Neglecting your gums can lead to health issues like gum disease and make you more likely to suffer from chronic issues like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthy gums could also prevent you from developing severe complications after contracting the virus.
New research has shown that there is a connection between those who have healthy gums and those who are able to survive COVID-19 without major complications. A report published by the Journal of the California Dental Association called “The Mouth COVID Connection (MCC)” details a German study that followed 40 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. They found that oral cavities are a transmission route and that periodontitis is associated with higher transmission.
The findings do not surprise Dr. Shervin Molayem, founder of the UCLA Dental Research Journal, who says that gum disease has been linked to other ailments like pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It only makes sense that gum disease would be linked to COVID-19 as well.
While COVID-19 studies are newly developing, our understanding of the link between oral health and lung health that Dr. Molayem mentioned is not new. There is a strong association between gum disease and chronic inflammation in lung diseases like asthma and COPD. Patients with lung conditions are already at a high risk of developing complications from COVID-19, and having healthy gums is one simple way they can protect themselves from more issues.
How Our Comprehensive Approach to Oral Health Can Help
We know that patients who are at risk of COVID-19 might already be fearful during this time, and we want to do our best to calm those fears by protecting their oral health. Our treatment recommendations are always personalized to meet patients’ needs. This means that if they are specifically concerned with their gum health, we will use our state-of-the-art technology to address those concerns. We will also provide the tools they need to take care of their oral health after they leave the office.
For patients who may have developed periodontitis, a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue, we offer periodontal infection therapy, deep cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, scaling and root planning, gum grafts to restore receded gums, and antibiotics to treat infection. Whether you have gum complications that require complex procedures like these, or you simply want to maintain your oral health at your dental exam, our team is here to help.
Extra Precautions During COVID-19
We want to support our patients in preventing complications from COVID-19 as much as possible. This is reflected in the way we care for their gums, and in our office protocol. We take each patient’s temperature and only allow one patient in the waiting area at any given time. Once a patient is seated, they will be asked to rinse with a molecular iodine or peroxide mouthwash.
We also ask that any patients who are experiencing cold symptoms, flu-like symptoms, or feeling unwell reschedule their appointment. Our team appreciates your cooperation as we work to fight COVID-19 together, both in the way that we care for our gums and in the way that we care for others around us.
To take control of your gum health today, call our Exton office at (610) 600-9745 or contact us online. We look forward to providing you with the highest quality of care.