Oral hygiene in patients with COVID-19 could mean life or death: study



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STATEN ISLAND, NY – Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with gum disease are more likely to die than those with better oral health, a recent study suggests.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 1 – the official publication of the European Federation of Periodontology – indicates that people with gum disease infected with the virus were nine times more likely to die.

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The study, which examined 568 patients in Qatar with coronavirus – including a group without healthy gums – also found that people with gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care and 4.5 times more likely to need a fan.

Signs of inflammation in the body were higher in patients with gum disease, suggesting that inflammation may account for the high complication rates.

“The results of the study suggest that inflammation of the oral cavity may open the door to increased violence from the coronavirus,” study co-author Professor Lior Shapira told Medical Xpress. “Oral care should be part of the health recommendations to reduce the risk of serious consequences from COVID-19.”

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