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Why Is Oral Health Compromised Due To COVID-19?

You must remember that oral health is part of your overall health and well-being. It greatly affects the quality of life, for example, certain oral disorders can indicate or lead to heart disorders, diseases of gums and teeth can make it difficult for a person to chew and eat well which can, in turn, lead to compromised nutrition. That is why it is vital to pay attention to your oral health.

Oral conditions that can develop in persons of any age group may affect children and continue throughout their lives if not treated. Early prevention can be reversed or arrested with proper oral hygiene and treatment. Recently, it has come to light that COVID-19 could be linked to failing oral health. Doctors and researchers have been studying the many effects of COVID-19 and there could be a connection between COVID-19 and oral health.

What is the link between oral health and COVID-19?

Oral health and COVID-19 are intricately linked and each influences the other-

It has been found that it is common for COVID-19 patients to experience a lost or altered sense of taste, weakened gums, dry mouth, tooth decay and mouth sores which lasts for long, even when other symptoms disappear.

Moreover, there remains an increased chance that bacteria from the mouth will travel to the lungs. This may increase the risk of developing a bacterial infection in addition to COVID-19.

Stress is another factor and it is bad for oral health. The mental struggle that you are enduring during the pandemic can make you ignore your oral health. As a result, cracked, chipped teeth and minor gum infections are becoming common and you must pay heed to it.

For this reason, oral health issues have risen to a great extent among people who are trying to manage other disorders because they are likely to put off routine dental checkups because they are too busy dealing with one illness and are scared of complicating matters by contracting COVID-19.

Oral concerns that are on the rise due to the pandemic:

1. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a condition where your gums are inflamed, turn red, swollen and even cause bad breath and leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene leads to dental plaque. Having COVID-19 may cause weakness and make a person less likely to practice good oral hygiene and this increases the risk of gingivitis. 

2. Dry mouth

Dry mouth is an early and most common symptom of COVID-19 infection. It increases the risk of tooth decay. It occurs when there is not enough saliva in your mouth to wash off the food particles and play its protective role. COVID-19 and dry mouth are related because it is assumed that the virus can also affect the salivary glands.

3. Oral ulcers

Like other viral infections, SARS-CoV-2 impairs your immune system and makes you more prone to other secondary conditions. Oral ulcers develop as a white patch on the tongue, gums or roof of the mouth, it is painful, causes discomfort while eating and drinking along with a burning sensation. Stress and gastric problems due to COVID infection can also be a reason for ulcers.

4. Cracked teeth

Dentists have noticed an increase in teeth grinding and chipped, cracked teeth since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of anxiety and poor posture from staying at home, these problems arise. Involuntary behaviours like clenching jaws and grinding teeth are common and have also occurred in people with severe COVID-19.

5. Black fungus and white fungus

Treatment of COVID infection may require some medicines which may suppress your immunity. Along with this, if a person does not follow good oral hygiene measures or has other comorbid conditions, he/she may be susceptible to opportunistic infections like black and white fungus. They affect many parts of your body including the oral cavity. Any unusual symptoms like pain, swelling, loosening of teeth, white or black coloured deposition on tongue or cheeks during or post COVID should be reported to the doctor without delay. If not treated promptly, the black fungus can have life-threatening consequences.

What can you do for better dental care?

Untreated dental problems and poor dental hygiene can be potentially threatening. They may even lead to heart attack and pose a serious risk because of their association with COVID-19. It is advised to practice good oral health, proper diet and medication as part of both post COVID care as well as means to minimize your risk of contracting severe COVID-19.

While not everybody who gets COVID-19 will suffer from the same problems, following good oral care can save you from serious dental health issues. Management and prevention of oral problems during COVID-19:

Prevention is better than cure

During these times, make sure you follow good oral hygiene practices. It is very important to-

Know the early signs

If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms-

  1. Bleeding gums
  2. Food lodgment between teeth
  3. Bad breath
  4. A cavity or black spots on teeth
  5. Pain or sensitivity in teeth
  6. Swelling, redness in gums
  7. Sudden pain, swelling or mobility in any tooth

Consult a dental surgeon immediately to prevent the worsening of the condition.

Also Read: What Causes Receding Gums: Insights and Preventive Measures from Experts

Improve communication

Many patients may be hesitant to visit a dentist during the pandemic. Communication and clarity are critical. Speak to your dentist about the safety protocols and clear your doubts regarding the safety of the procedure and associated risks.

Teledentistry

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed us all to embrace a virtual way of living. Teledentistry supports the delivery of oral health services through electronic media and connects dental surgeons to patients when stepping out is not an option. Initial consultations can be done through this mode and can help in minimising the number of visits to the clinic. It is necessary for urgent or emergency care.

Conclusion

Proper oral hygiene maintenance and healthy eating habits can go a long way to improve your dental health. Visit your dentist from time to time for routine checkups and quit tobacco and alcohol. This will not only keep your teeth and gums healthy but also keep you safe from severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Teeth?

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Diabetes means your blood sugar levels have soared. It might result from your body becoming resistant to insulin that keeps blood sugar level in check or because your body doesn’t produce a sufficient amount of insulin. 

Diabetes can have a severe impact on all parts of your body and your mouth is no exception. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can harm your oral cavity. The more your blood sugar level rises, the greater the damage will be. 

Here Is How High Blood Sugar Affects Your Teeth

 1. Cavities (Tooth Decay)

There are many colonies of bacteria in your mouth. Some of them are essential to prevent tooth decay. But when they come in contact with sugars and starch, they react by producing a coating around your teeth. This is called plaque. Plaque contains acids that slowly erode your teeth (the enamel and the dentin). When you have diabetes, naturally more sugar and starch will be circulated to your mouth. And this means your teeth and gums will be even more vulnerable to decay.

2. Gum Disease Or Gingivitis

Diabetes symptoms are many, but some are more debilitating than others are. One such severe symptom is a weak immune system. This is especially significant when it comes to dental health. If you are healthy, your body can fight off the harmful effects of plaque. But if you are a diabetic with a weak immune system, the plaque will become a solid hard mass called the dental calculus.

This hardened plaque affects the tooth base (gingival) – they get infected, swell up and may even bleed.

3. Periodontitis (Advanced Gum Disease)

Periodontitis is the advanced form of gingivitis. It attacks the tissues and bones that grip your teeth, leading to the teeth coming loose and eventually falling off. This infection persists because your body can’t get rid of it due to a weakened immune system.

Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Dry Socket: Proven Methods and Remedies

4. Thrush

It’s not just bacteria but yeast too that can sometimes dwell in your mouth. Candida Albicans, a type of yeast, causes an infection called thrush and diabetics are more prone to it than other people are.

5. Xerostomia

Diabetes can dry up your mouth and cause a disorder called xerostomia. Your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva to moisten the mouth. Less saliva makes it easier for the plaque to stick to your teeth and this can deteriorate your dental health further.

Also Read: What is Red Light Therapy? A Closer Look at its Research-Backed Applications

How To Avoid Diabetes-Related Dental Disorders?

Even though diabetes increases the risk of teeth and gum diseases, there’s no need to lose hope. All you need to do is follow the diabetes precautions mentioned below to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

  1. Avoid foods that are high in sugar to keep your blood sugar level under control. This will naturally reduce your likelihood of coming down with dental problems. 
  2. Brush every day at least twice to prevent plaque build-up. Remember to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and always opt for a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
  3. Floss your teeth to remove stubborn plaque.
  4. Visit your dentist regularly and apprise him or her of your current blood sugar level.
  5. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or soft drinks.
  6. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Don’t think too much about what type of exercise to pick, any form – be it dancing, running, weight lifting or yoga will do just fine. Read more about the health benefits of exercise

Diabetes can trigger a host of gum and teeth problems. But if you follow the necessary precautions,  your dental health will not be compromised. 

Also Read About: Understanding the Relation Between Diabetes & Heart Disease

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.