Anyone suffering from periodontal disease and developing Covid has a higher risk of a severe course. Possibly because the viruses can get into the blood more easily.
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–Healthy teeth and gums may protect against a severe course of Covid.
Photo: Frederic J. Brown (AFP)
High blood pressure, heart problems, asthma, diabetes, cancer, a weakened immune system: It is well known that all of these previous illnesses, and a few more, increase the risk of a severe course of Covid-19. However, a possible corona risk factor is gladly included in the assessment forgotten: a chronic inflammation of the gums, a so-called periodontitis.
It has long been known that inflammation of the gums is not only unhealthy for the teeth themselves. They can also increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease. Because periodontitis causes what is known as systemic inflammation, which can damage a wide variety of organs and tissues via the bloodstream. “These relationships are well established,” says Christoph Ramseier from the Dental Clinics at the University of Bern. “Even if hardly anyone knows,” adds the President of the Swiss Society for Periodontology.
