Many patients say that they are concerned about contracting a possible COVID-19 infection from a visit to dentist the dentist. We confirmed this by one of our NextSmile dental surveys. However, good oral hygiene is even more important for your health during this pandemic. According to researchers, the risk of death from the new SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus is higher if good oral hygiene is not adhered to.
A recent UK study found that people with inflamed, swollen or bleeding gums are up to 70% more likely to get a COVID-19 infection! The British researchers also found that not pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes also mean an increased risk.
Oral hygiene plays an important role in preventing infection with the Coronavirus. Mouth sores are inevitable when poor oral health is practised, and the British researchers found that this increased the risk of death by COVID by as much as 70%. Good oral hygiene is a very effective barrier against infection by the SARS-CoV-2 as infection usually takes place via the mouth and throat.
Good oral hygiene as an effective hurdle for the corona virus
Inflammations in the mouth and gums weaken the immune system. Therefore, in addition to the well-known AHA rules (distance, hygiene measures, wearing masks every day), oral hygiene is an effective measure against infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The study also showed that patients with gingivitis and a positive Corona test, compared to the control group, had an increased 70% risk of death by COVID.
Brush your teeth for protection against the corona virus
Oral cavities also play a crucial role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 as viruses are transmitted through saliva and airborne droplets when breathing, speaking or coughing. As said, inflammatory diseases in the mouth weaken the immune system.
In another study, the authors pointed out that there is a link between the viral load carried in an oral cavity and the course of the Corona
disease there. The higher the number of germs in the patient’s mouth, the more severe the disease will be. At the same time, the risk of transmission to other people is also increased.
“A patient with periodontal disease has a subgingival gingivitis. This means that he – often unnoticed – has an open wound of about 40 square centimeters in the oral cavity.”
In the British Dental Journal, Prof Martin Addy, of the University of Bristol, confirmed that it is particularly important to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Especially with high-risk groups great care should be taken as their dental care is often neglected.
The president of the German specialist dental society, DGZMK, Prof Dr Roland Frankenberger of the University of Marburg, also emphasises the importance of brushing your teeth. Prevention boosts the patient’s immunity at the point of origin of the viral infection and helps to prevent infection or lessens the severity of the disease. He points out that a patient with periodontal disease has subgingival gingivitis, which often means that there is an unnoticed open wound of around 40 square centimetres in the oral cavity.
It is therefore clear that good oral care provides a protective barrier against infection with SARS-CoV-2, so that infection with Corona at the dentist’s is highly unlikely.
Infection with covid 19 at the dentist is unlikely
However, oral hygiene is not just about brushing your teeth at home! Regular prophylactic appointments and professional teeth cleaning at the dentist are very much an integral part of good oral care. Therefore, your regular preventative scheduled visits to the dentist should be strictly adhered to during the Corona pandemic. You do not want to risk damage to your teeth and gums by missing essential scheduled treatments. Ensuring high hygiene standards with good dental practices offer maximum protection against infection with the Corona virus.
Be assured that the risk of infection at a dental practice is very low, because dentists always adhere to the strictest hygiene regulations. Indeed, the health authorities strictly control that these practices are closely followed. Indeed, there are hardly any other occupations in which surface and hand disinfection, and gloves, visor and mouth-nose protection are used as standard, everyday-equipment!
Do not wait longer for your dentists appointment – especially during covid 19
During the course of the Corona pandemic, these already stringent hygiene standards were tightened even further. Therefore, there is no evidence that visits to the dentist has in any way raised the risk of you contracting a COVID-19 infection.
Therefore, do not put off visiting your dentist any longer! Your dentist will also be able to supply you with any further information you need.
