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Could there be a link between oral hygiene and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections?

Victoria Sampson1, Nawar Kamona2, Ariane Sampson3

  • 1Dentistry, 38 Devonshire Street, London, W1G 6QB, UK. drvictoriasampson@hotmail.com.

British Dental Journal
|June 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Investigating the link between SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial load, this study explores how oral health may impact COVID-19 complications. Improving oral hygiene could potentially reduce severe outcomes in patients with COVID-19.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was declared a global emergency in 2020.
  • Known risk factors (age, gender, comorbidities) do not explain all COVID-19 deaths.
  • A significant portion of COVID-19 deaths occur in individuals without apparent risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of bacterial load and superinfections in COVID-19 complications.
  • To examine the connection between oral health, periodontal disease, and severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  • To explore if improving oral health can mitigate post-viral complications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on SARS-CoV-2, bacterial infections, and oral health.
  • Analysis of existing data linking comorbidities, oral microbiome, and COVID-19 severity.
  • Exploration of the pathophysiology of bacterial superinfections in viral respiratory illnesses.

Main Results:

  • Identified a potential link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and increased bacterial load.
  • Highlighted that comorbidities associated with COVID-19 complications also negatively impact oral health.
  • Suggested that bacterial superinfections may contribute to severe COVID-19 manifestations like pneumonia and sepsis.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial load and superinfections may be underappreciated factors in COVID-19 severity.
  • Poor oral health and periodontal disease could exacerbate COVID-19 complications.
  • Maintaining good oral hygiene may represent a viable strategy to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

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