You may have thought it unimportant to come in for the recommended semi-annual dental checkup over the last year, since there were a lot more serious things to worry about than cavities.
Of course, today’s dentistry is really about far more serious problems, such as periodontal disease, the gum infection that can cause teeth to fall out or need to be extracted. The mouth naturally reacts by having the neighboring teeth lean in to fill in the gap left by the missing tooth, which in turn causes them to loosen. Untreated, they could also fall out and the process could continue until you need a full set of dental implants or a denture.
Our Boston dentist and team makes it safe for you by having all patients screened, wear masks when they socially distance in our waiting room, and our staff wears masks, face shields, and disposable gowns. All dental instruments have always been extensively sanitized after use.
But coming for a dental exam and a cleaning by your hygienist is about much more than oral health. We have long known that the periodontal bacteria can travel throughout the body and significantly raise the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Now, we also know that poor oral health can create complications if you come down with COVID-19.
Medical XPress recently reported that COVID patients with periodontal or gum disease were three times more likely to have complications than other patients, nearly five times more likely to need a ventilator, and nine times more likely to die!
According to the California Dental Association, about 20% of those with COVID develop severe respiratory problems and those who also have periodontal disease are more likely to suffer from respiratory complications. These can lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, the leading causes of death among COVID patients.
The symptoms of periodontal disease can include red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, pain when chewing, loose or sensitive teeth, and receding gums. To avoid this developing, it is imperative that you make every effort to brush after breakfast and dinner for a full two minutes, then floss right before bedtime. Some patients with recurring periodontal infections should follow this with a dental rinse, use small bristled brushes to remove food particles, or use a water pick, as well.
Give the CITIDental High Street office a call today to schedule your next dental exam.