Oral Damage from Coronavirus?

More news about how COVID-19 could be affecting your dental health:

Findings from a Milan, Italy study conducted between July and September of 2020 indicate possible long-term oral side effects from the virus. Dental professional researchers examined 122 patients who had, three months prior, been hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment. Seventy-five percent of the patients studied were male, with a median age of 62.5 years.

Highlights of Results:

• More than 80% of patients were seen to have some sort of damage to the oral cavity or surrounding structures in the form of salivary gland ectasia (swelling) which is thought to be a hyperinflammatory response. These patients had also been given more antibiotics which is thought to disrupt the oral microbiome, the ecosystem in our mouths.
• 25% experienced dry mouth which can lead to tooth enamel erosion.
• 18% (and these were mostly younger patients) complained of muscle weakness when chewing.

The report was published in the March Journal of Dental Research and helps us see a possible link between the virus and oral diseases. Of course, as the study concludes, “Further studies are needed to clarify the connection between SARS-CoV-2 infection (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, now known more commonly as Covid-19) and oral disorders.”

More Reasons to Take Care of Our Teeth

Good oral hygiene helps prevent severe gum disease, which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and many more health issues. If you have been diagnosed with gum (periodontal) disease, professional intervention is necessary to prevent the progress of gum disease. To schedule a no-obligation gum disease consultation, contact us today at 215-677-8686.