Poor oral health has long been recognized as a risk factor for other diseases, with studies suggesting that it may also increase the potential for pandemic spread. A disease like covid is transmitted by close contact or by touching surfaces exposed to infected fluids. Poor oral hygiene and failure to practice good dental care. In addition, bacteria that reside in the mouth may aggravate the effects of other pandemic diseases such as influenza or pneumovirus. In order to understand how poor oral health can make someone more vulnerable to infection from covid and other pandemics, we need to understand how our mouths affect our overall health.
Covid infections have been growing increasingly common in recent years, sometimes through an unexpected route: people with poor dental hygiene are at risk of contracting these infections through gum sores caused by cavities and other dental problems. Even though this places them at a greater risk of developing a secondary infection from the primary pro-inflammatory response triggered by covid, they can avoid the worst effects if they improve their dental hygiene habits before contracting covid.
What is the covid pandemic?
Covid is a contagious disease that is spread by contact with bodily fluids, including saliva, mucus, and blood. It is associated with severe respiratory symptoms. Although the full extent of the danger posed by covid is not known. it is considered to be a significant pandemic threat. In the United States, infection with covid is most common in people ages 5–19.
Covid can lead to the development of scar tissue in the respiratory tract (caused by pneumovirus). Which can cause difficulty breathing and lead to pneumonia. Other pandemics associated with oral health conditions include influenza, herpes, and bacterial infections such as Streptococcus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. Or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus spreads more easily indoors and in crowded settings.
Oral health and covid transmission
Poor oral health, characterized by poor dental hygiene and a lack of regular dental appointments. Can increase the risk of transmission of covid. And cause sores that make you more susceptible to contracting covid. Additionally, bacteria that reside in the mouth may aggravate the effects of other pandemic diseases such as influenza or pneumovirus.
A little < over 2 years ago, at the start of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, researchers began to investigate the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the oral healthcare workforce and the patients they serve.
There was concern that the infectious nature of the virus if spread through respiratory and oral secretions, combined with the use of aerosolizing procedures in dentistry, could put providers and patients in the dental environment at high risk of contracting and spreading the viral infection. In many areas, as governments limited dental practices to only emergency care for many weeks. The ramifications of postponed care on patients and the economic cost to practices added additional risks and stressors meriting evaluation.
Oral health and the impact of other pandemics
If a person with a disease like influenza has not been regularly flossing and brushing their teeth. They are at increased risk of transmitting the disease through their saliva, even if they are not coughing or sneezing. People with poor oral health are also at increased risk of contracting bacterial infections such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pseudomonas infections. Which can cause sores in the mouth and gums that increase the risk of transmitting covid.
How does poor oral health increase risk of getting covid?
Poor dental first step toward preventing the spread of covid is to practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily.
In fact, it is critical for the health of everyone, including children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. The reason for this is that oral health has a significant impact on your general health. The mouth is home to trillions of bacteria, some of them good and some of them bad. These bacteria help break down food and produce natural chemicals that contribute to general health. However, they can also cause problems. The first line of defense against these bacteria is your saliva.
Conclusion
Poor oral health is a risk factor for transmission of other diseases, including covid. It can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene. Which includes regular brushing and flossing, as well as visiting a dentist for routine checkups.
