Connection Between Oral Health and COVID-19

Abstract

Through the history mankind came a cross various types of epidemic or pandemic that dramatically increased the fatality of the population of the world or a region. From black death in 1346 (30-60 % population of the Europe), Spanish flue 1918 (1-5.4 population of the globe) or to the recent outbreak of the covid-19 (more than 2 million). The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus 2) that is cause of COVID-19 is the seventh coronavirus known to infect human, specifically, it belongs to the family of Coronaviridae and have spread worldwide. As of June 19, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 8.3 million total confirmed cases and still counting, making it a severe threat to public health. And still the mechanism involving virus proliferation and how the virus interacts with other microorganisms in the lung is unknown. This virus main focus area of attack are lungs and respiratory system and with the connection of the oral cavity with them, they can have significant impact on each other. Oral cavity is the second microbiota house in the body, that contains many types of fungi, bacteria, virus and archaea. This will make oral cavity an ideal hunting ground for opportunistic pathogens. Most of these were found in BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) of covid-19 patient. So due to this statement oral cavity hygiene plays crucial factor in this process. Due to co-infection of respiratory system and oral cavity there various manifestation can occur in both places. Oral manifestation can be included as ulcer, erosion, bulla, vesicle, pustule, fissured or atrophied tongue, macule, papule, plaque, pigmentation, halitosis, Soft tissue white lesions, hemorrhagic crust, necrosis, petechiae, swelling, erythema, and spontaneous bleeding. The focused sites were tongue, labial mucosa and palate. Maintaining a good and proper oral hygiene can help to reduce the infection of the respiratory system. Other factors such as age and immunosuppressed individuals can be effected in considerably sever manner.