The oral cavity is one of the entry points of COVID-19 to the body aside from the nose and eyes, Dr. Adeliza Valeza said.
“If and when the mouth is healthy, everything else follows. The patient can eat the right food to nourish [their] body, thereby strengthening [their] immune system. [Their] mouth will not be a [focus] of infection, viral load and bacterial load of the saliva and the oral cavity as a whole will be lessened. Viruses will not thrive in a clean environment,” the dentist said.
“We are constantly reminded to wash our hands. Why are we not constantly reminded of the importance of washing our mouths when it is clearly where the virus comes from?” Baroma added.If good oral hygiene is maintained, Valeza said it will also reduce the need for patients to visit the dentist, decreasing their chance of being subjected to aerosol-generating procedures in clinics.However, the use of aerosol suction devices may help prevent possible virus-laden air from clinics.
“Work from home also means an increase in eating snacks. Anxiety and depression from current world events may also lead to stress eating. The more you use your mouth and teeth means you should also increase your effort in maintaining it,” he underscored.A study published in the Journal of Oral Medicine and Dental Research on April 20, revealed that COVID-19 patients with gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, 4.