According to experts, COVID-19 may pose a higher risk in Mexico than in other countries because a large share of the population also lives with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Official data indicate that seven out of ten COVID-19 deaths in the country involved one of these three chronic diseases, and half of that group had at least two of them. Mexico is also the ninth country in the world with the most cases of diabetes, according to the World Health Organization.
Diabetes and periodontal disease
For people with diabetes, oral health care must be non-negotiable and even more so during the coronavirus pandemic.
Good daily hygiene, plus swift and effective dental care to prevent or treat periodontal diseases, helps reduce inflammatory disorders such as periodontitis. These start in the mouth but have systemic effects, often worsening glycemic control in people with diabetes. Reducing inflammatory burden is crucial in this group, who already face a higher risk of severe outcomes and complications including death if they develop COVID-19.
People with diabetes should not postpone a dental visit for any urgent issue. If there is periodontal infection, significant gingival bleeding, suppuration, or abscesses, they should contact their periodontist to determine whether urgent periodontal treatment is needed in order to prevent situations that could affect overall health. It’s also essential to eat healthfully and, as much as possible, exercise.
Why do people with diabetes need extra precautions?
According to the Working Group on “Diabetes and Periodontal Diseases” experts from the Spanish Diabetes Society and the Spanish Society of Periodontology there are several reasons a person with diabetes should isolate and take greater care:
- The immune system is compromised, responding inadequately to infections. With coronavirus, this favors spread within the lungs, prompting the immune system to release large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines. While meant to eradicate the virus, they can trigger widespread inflammation beyond the lungs.
- Elevated inflammatory markers in the blood promote insulin resistance, which raises HbA1c levels. In people with diabetes, COVID-19 can therefore significantly destabilize blood glucose, with ensuing complications.
- Some COVID-19 treatments can increase both blood pressure and HbA1c, further destabilizing diabetes. Cardiovascular complications have been observed, both from the infection itself and from treatments used.
- Many people with diabetes especially older adults already have cardiovascular complications, which heightens the risk of diabetes worsening.
- Those with diabetes, hypertension, coronary disease, or cancer are more susceptible to severe complications if infected with COVID-19.
For people living with diabetes, it’s doubly important to follow WHO precautions to avoid infection. If you have diabetes and develop significant gingival bleeding or an abscess, seek immediate care from a periodontist. Our clinic is operating with special precautions and safety measures to treat patients safely.
This information is for guidance. If you have diabetes and present with a periodontal infection, significant bleeding, or an abscess, do not postpone your visit to the periodontist.
If you have diabetes and notice infection or gingival bleeding, contact us to schedule an appointment.
