‘‘Oral infection”, An Alarming Cause of Lung Infection
The oral cavity is a potential reservoir for respiratory pathogens which can predispose patients to bacterial super-infections. Several trials have correlated poor oral hygiene with hyper-inflammation, where COVID-19 severity has also been linked to hyper-inflammatory responses.
With COVID which mainly has impact on the lungs leading to lung infection, there is a risk of aspirating the oral secretions into the lungs, which could make the infection more worse. Moreover, research also states that, for a person with gum infection, coronovirus could pass from saliva, through bloodstream to the lungs. This means that gum infection is one of the most prevalent causes of harmful microbial load in the mouth. Thus, inadequate oral hygiene can increase the risk of inter-bacterial and viral exchanges between the lungs and the mouth, increasing the risk of respiratory infections and potentially post-viral bacterial complications.”
Normal and simple oral hygiene measures like proper brushing twice daily, flossing, use of a mouthwashes or salt water rinse, rinsing properly between meals and snacks and regular dental visit can decrease the gingival inflammation and this could reduce the viral concentration in saliva, thus reducing the risk of corona virus spread into the lungs.
