Can Supportive Periodontal Therapy Curbe the Surge in COVID-19?

Abstract

The advent of new variations and the outbreak of pandemic COVID-19 has pushed research among global health professionals to limit the spread of the coronavirus through periodically updated norms and standards of preventive treatment. Dentists have been limited in their practice to emergency care since 2019, as salivary droplets and infectious aerosols from asymptomatic carriers can cross, contaminate the environment. Exaggerated immune responses in patients with poor dental hygiene act as a double-edged sword, manifesting clinically as increased periodontal pockets degrading the tooth supporting tissues, tooth mobility, and tooth loss. SARS- CoV 2 has been discovered in the dental biofilm of infected individuals, according to recent research. Deep periodontal pockets have been identified as a favorable niche for viral survival. This article covers some current study updates and highlights the significance of educating the public, particularly the older population, about maintaining good oral hygiene and minimizing COVID-19 transmission through supportive periodontal treatments.