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Do my teeth need any extra care during COVID19 Pandemic?

During a pandemic, many people find themselves overwhelmed by all the extra precautions they need to take in order to keep themselves safe. This extra burden often impacts on the routine people have developed for everyday life. And it is sometimes tempting to skip the floss or to only brush for 10 to 20 seconds at the end of a long day. However, a new study from Britain has emphasized the importance of looking after your oral health during the Pandemic.

British researchers have found a link between poor oral hygiene and severity of COVID-19 disease. The study from researchers Victoria Sampson, from the dental practice 38 Devonshire Street, London, Nawar Kamona from the Centre for Nutrition Education & Lifestyle Management (CNELM), London and Ariane Sampson from Orthodontics, Cambridge University Hospital Trust, United Kingdom collaborated to find the connection between the severity of the infection and poor oral hygiene. Their study titled, “Could there be a link between oral hygiene and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections?” was published in the latest issue of the journal British Dental Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic

Since December last year, there have been steadily increasing numbers of SARS-CoV-2 or novel coronavirus infection that causes COVID-19 disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global emergency on the 30th of January 2020 and, on the 11th of March 2020, declared it a pandemic when this highly contagious virus infected populations across the world.

What was this study about?

Researchers to date have identified several risk factors that are associated with severe COVID-19 course of disease and outcome. While many patients infected with the virus recover without complications, some may need hospitalization, oxygen supplementation, and even ventilation. Some of the risk factors associated with poor outcome of the disease include high blood pressure, diabetes obesity, and heart disease. The team of researchers explains that 52 percent of the deaths due to COVID-19 also occur in healthy individuals, and the cause behind this is unclear. They wrote that the main complications of COVID-19 include “blood clots, pneumonia, sepsis, septic shock, and ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome).” These complications are seen mainly among those with comorbidities and bacterial overload, they wrote.

Bacteria and COVID-19 outcome

The team speculates that there may be a connection between SARS- CoV-2 infection and “bacterial load.” They tried to explore if high levels of bacteria or bacterial superinfections and complications of bacterial infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, and respiratory distress syndrome could be associated with poor outcome from COVID-19.

Oral hygiene and COVID-19

This study explored the complications of COVID-19 seen among those with poor oral health and periodontal disease. The oral microbiome or the microbial flora of the mouth was explored and its connection with the COVID-19 outcome was analyzed. The authors wrote, “We explore the connection between high bacterial load in the mouth and post-viral complications, and how improving oral health may reduce the risk of complications from COVID-19.”

The authors of the study wrote that during lung infection, there is a risk of aspirating the oral secretions into the lungs, which could cause infection. Some of the bacteria present in the mouth that could cause such infections include “Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia,” they wrote. They explained that periodontitis or infection of the gums is one of the most prevalent causes of harmful bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria lead to the formation of cytokines such as Interleukin 1 (IL1) and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which can be detected in the saliva and can reach the lungs leading to infection within them. Thus, the researchers wrote, “inadequate oral hygiene can increase the risk of inter-bacterial exchanges between the lungs and the mouth, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and potentially post-viral bacterial complications.”

Results of the study

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.

Conclusions and implications

This study concludes that 20 percent of the patients with COVID-19 progress to severe illness with high levels of “inflammatory markers (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10), bacteria, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count”. They noted that the oral microbial environment and COVID-19 could be linked. The four essential risk factors for severe COVID-19, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity, are also associated with poor oral hygiene, they wrote. They recommend “oral hygiene be maintained, if not improved, during a SARS-CoV-2 infection in order to reduce the bacterial load in the mouth and the potential risk of bacterial superinfection.” These precautions are particularly important for those with diabetes, heart disease hypertension, they wrote.

What Our Patients Say

Sabrina Alday
Sabrina Alday
2023-08-23
Everyone in DentalCare Carnegie is 5-star! I live in the Northern suburbs but still willing to travel to Carnegie for a dental appointment. The dentists are all very competent but it’s the people at the reception and the dental assistants that are top notch. They are all very warm and accommodating. I had a wisdom teeth surgery with Dr Paul recently and it went really well. We were able to finish in about half an hour, and recovered pretty quick. I also appreciate that the clinic called to check on me the day after and give more after care instructions for a speedy recovery.
Scott Bertram
Scott Bertram
2023-08-22
Great friendly staff. Dr Dave is awesome. Surgery runs On time and notify you if there is a delay. So important in a time poor world.
Chris748
Chris748
2023-08-21
Filling fell out and next day it was fixed. Fabulous service, great dentist gentle and caring and explained everything
Jocelyn Vuong
Jocelyn Vuong
2023-08-21
Great friendly staff and so caring and gentle dentist. Glad I made the right choice in the beginning to pick this dental practice. Highly recommended 😘
Marilyn Joy Corpuz
Marilyn Joy Corpuz
2023-08-20
Saw Dr. Julie Sheng for toothache on my molar that’s been festering me. The team contacted me on the day of booking to understand how the toothache started and suggested to get previous records from my previous dentist in the cbd, which I like so they have my records/history going forward. Dr. Julie explained the cause of my toothache whilst showing the xray of my teeth, gums and bones. She also provided the details of what are the next steps and asked me if I am happy to proceed with the root canal after she provided the estimated costs. I appreciate the transparency, explanation of details, and confirmation before proceeding with the treatment. Recommending the same clinic to my husband now.
Andrea Montilla
Andrea Montilla
2023-08-13
I always take my 2yr old to see Dr Sami as she is amazing with kids. Dr Dave is also very thorough, had my wisdom teeth removed with him. Highly recommended!
Mike Heng
Mike Heng
2023-08-13
Very friendly reception and dentist. Always has great experience with Dr Andrew.
Jacob Vilinsky
Jacob Vilinsky
2023-08-13
I have been seeing Dr Alex for almost ten years. He is the most incredibly caring and gentle dentist. I highly recommend this clinic to all people...the care given by the team is second to none.
Tom N.
Tom N.
2023-08-11
I've been going here for over 3-4 years for general checkups - Had my root canel done here and all going well. Wife and kid also go here. High level of standards of care and service. Always on time, friendly, and helpful. Well done to Reception team, Cam, Estelle and Dr Alex for making this clinic the gold standard of dental care.
Dinesh Hiralal Singapuri
Dinesh Hiralal Singapuri
2023-08-10
Strongly recommend anyone to visit Dentalcare Carnegie! The treatment was so amazing- felt relaxed & comfortable! Thank you Dr Julie Sheng

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