Fact file
Oral diseases have also been reported to be an principal underlying factor for mortality in Covid patients
Dental prophylaxis strengthens the overall immunocompetence of the oral cavity
Dental check-up in order to identify any silent disease is very important to prevent its progress
Brushing teeth twice, flossing and consumption of fibrous food is must
Use of mouthwash is good for oral health
Major effects of Oral Health on General Health
Heart disease | Individuals with gum disease are twice at risk of fatal heart attack
Stroke | A study has linked oral infections with increased chance of a stroke
Diabetes | Oral infections make diabetics more susceptible to increasing blood sugar
Respiratory problems | Individuals with oral infections can be affected with critical respiratory diseases such as pneumonia
Tips for good oral health
Brush and floss teeth regularly
Get an overall dental check-up done from a good dental professional at least every 6 months
Eat a healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
Avoid tobacco intake
Reduce intake of sweets made from refined sugar
During pregnancy, have high intake of healthy food and take good oral care
Parents must brush teeth of very young children on a regular basis. Once they start brushing on their own, keep supervision
Post Covid effects like stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness also hamper overall oral health. Some of the issues are oral ulcers, loss of taste, dry mouth, fungal infections, hyposalivation which leads to caries etc. All these may be either due to side effects of drugs or compromised immunity post Covid.
Dr Neelam Chandwani | assistant professor and in-charge, department of dentistry, AIIMS-Nagpur
Oral hygiene to keep mouth free from bacterial loads is of utmost importance in Covid times. Prevention is always better and cheaper than cure. The slogan ‘Wash your hands and brush your teeth’ can be extended to ‘Wash hands, brush twice and wear mask’.
Dr Ganesh Jadhav | assistant professor, department of dentistry, AIIMS-Nagpur
(Text: Chaitanya Deshpande)