During the pandemic, we’ve noticed a lot of patients putting off their regular check ups. “It’s only a cleaning”, you may say to yourself. We’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of oral health, and professional cleanings. Good oral health boosts your immune system, and a new study suggests it reduces the risk of fatal outcomes from Covid-19.

The study led by McGill researchers suggests that gum disease may be associated with higher risk of complications from Covid-19, including ICU admission and death (source). According to the study:

Researchers discovered that COVID-19 patients with gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, 4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator, and 8.8 times more likely to die when compared to those without gum disease. Until now, no other research has been published about the destructive effects of gum disease in patients with COVID-19.

“Looking at the conclusions of our study we can highlight the importance of good oral health in the prevention and management of COVID-19 complications,” explains Belinda Nicolau, contributing author and Full Professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at McGill University. “There is a very strong correlation between periodontitis and disease outcome.”

These findings line up with what we know about gum disease. In previous blog posts, we’ve talked about the importance of periodontal health, and how gum disease is associated with heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, which are all risk factors for Covid-19. Another summary of the study cites:

The team wrote, “Good oral hygiene has been recognized as a means to prevent airway infections in patients, especially in those over the age of 70”. Those with periodontal disease are at a 25 percent raised risk of heart disease, thrice the risk of getting diabetes, and 20 percent raised risk of getting high blood pressure, the researchers wrote. These are all risk factors of severe COVID-19, they wrote.

We know that the pandemic has created enormous stress and our patients have experienced a variety of lifestyle changes. Maybe you’re nervous about leaving your home and are trying to limit “unnecessary” appointments. Maybe you’re snacking more frequently, or craving unhealthy foods. If any of these describe you, you’re not alone — and we can help.

Regular Cleanings are a Vital Part of Your Oral Health

While dental emergencies can strike anyone, our patients who commit to regular preventive care present with significantly fewer problems over time. Professional cleanings with a registered dental hygienist allow us to bring a blend of proactive efforts to you. Deposits of mineralized plaque, known as tartar, adhere to certain areas of the teeth, even with your best efforts. These deposits offer suitable housing for millions of harmful bacteria to reside. Left unchecked, they produce a flood of toxins into the gums. This frequently cascades into devastating chronic problems, like gum disease or even tooth loss.

When you visit us periodically, we can gently remove the deposits from the tooth surfaces. If removed regularly, bacterial tartar doesn’t have the same opportunity to produce irreversible damage. Furthermore, we use professional-strength polishing paste that gently buffs away stain and microscopic plaque, leaving your teeth ultra-smooth and less susceptible to build-up. At your cleaning, your oral health will be evaluated by one of our amazing dentists, who will identify potential issues and suggest treatment options to optimize your dental health.

We understand that there is some hesitancy about dental appointments in these uncertain times. Dental cleanings are a very necessary part of your oral (and overall) health. And we’d like to take this opportunity to assure our patients that we are doing everything we can to ensure your safety (and the safety of our team). We’re following Alberta Dental Association guidelines, which are some of the strictest in Canada.

If you’d like to learn more about our implemented procedures, please visit our Covid FAQ, call the office to speak with our awesome administrative team (780-428-7830), or send us an email with any concerns (info@toothworksonline.com).

What You Can Do From Home

In addition to regular cleanings from our professional hygienists, there are some things you can do at home to further improve your oral health and reduce your risk of gum disease.

• Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes with a fluoridated toothpaste.

• Floss between your teeth daily.

• Antibacterial mouthwashes can be a great add on to your routine!

• Try to eat no more than 3 meals and 2 snacks daily.

• Rinse your mouth with water after eating (this helps wash away remaining food particles and reduce the amount of plaque build up between brushing).

• Avoid grazing on carbs and include proteins (like nuts, meat, cheese) to help neutralize the acidity of your saliva (this acid wears away at your enamel, leading to cavities).

• Reduce your sugar intake (swap that soda for water), opting for tooth-friendly snacks like apples, crunchy vegetables, nuts, and yogurt.

As always, we hope this blog empowers you to make more informed decisions about your oral health and helps you maintain your beautiful, healthy smiles. If you’d like more information, please reach out and ask us! We’d be happy to chat with you over the phone, email, or at your next appointment.

Yours in better dental health,

Tooth Works