The Mouth-COVID-19 Connection: The Importance of the Oral Cavity for the Coronavirus Disease — Part II

ABSTRACT

Background: The pandemic has significantly disrupted dental practice. However, the dental community has risen to the challenges of maintaining oral health care delivery. Untreated oral conditions can adversely affect the systemic environment, influencing respiratory conditions and COVID-19.

Types of studies reviewed: This study was designed as a narrative review. Medline, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched up to January 2021 for articles in English that addressed the role played by the oral cavity and saliva in the coronavirus disease, with particular focus on the importance of oral hygiene. All relevant scientific articles were included.

Results: Several studies have linked poor plaque control to worse lung function and pneumonia, particularly in hospitalized patients and institutionalized elderly. COVID-19 patients with poor plaque control can carry the virus for longer periods. Because saliva can be highly infective, pretreatment oral rinsing has been recommended to decrease the viral load and transmission of COVID-19.

Practical implications: Findings from this review suggest that promoting oral health and plaque control are vital to prevent respiratory diseases and potentially decrease the severity of COVID-19.

Keywords:

• Mouth COVID-19
• saliva COVID-19
• oral health COVID-19
• oral inflammation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shervin Molayem

Shervin Molayem, DDS, earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry and completed a specialty program in periodontics at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. He is the director of the Mouth Body Research Institute and a periodontist in private practice in Los Angeles.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.

Carla Cruvinel Pontes

Carla Cruvinel Pontes, DDS, MsC, PhD, is a Brazilian dentist and researcher with a Master of Science degree in periodontology from the University of Sao Paulo and a doctorate in health sciences from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. She works as an independent dental researcher and writer in Cape Town, South Africa.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.