Teeth Well in Corona-Poor oral hygiene & lung infection

Dr. Nikhita Nagar

Dentist

(Dr. Nagar's Dental and Physiotherapy Center, Ghaziabad)

It has been more than 6 months since the corona virus (covid-19) came into existence and so far more than 10 million people around the world have been infected with this new novel corona virus disease covid-19. Till now no definitive treatment of this disease has been discovered and due to this, Covid-19 infected patients are currently being treated only to reduce their symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Doctors have confirmed that elderly people over 60 years and those who already have a disease have the highest risk of severe symptoms of Covid-19 infection. However, according to a study published in the British Dental Journal on 26 June 2020, people who have poor oral hygiene i.e. those who do not take care of their mouth cleanliness are also at higher risk of getting Covid-19 infection. Especially those who already have a disease.

Earlier studies have shown that pre-existing diseases such as heart disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases become more complicated when bacterial and viral load in the mouth is high. This also increases the risk of serious symptoms of Covid-19 infection.

This new study published in the British Dental Journal clearly states that if the bacteria load in the mouth is high, it can cause bacterial superinfection in the body of a Covid-19 patient and many other complications such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome. And there is a higher risk of sepsis.

Lung infection caused by oral bacteria-

It is generally observed that infection in the lower respiratory tract (lower respiratory tract) is caused by inhalation of microorganisms contained in the infectious particles present in the atmosphere or by infectious microorganisms present in the mouth (oral cavity) such as P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, and P. intermedia.

Due to not cleaning the mouth properly, there may be a serious problem of swelling and burning in the gums. After this, the bone under the gums, which in medical language is called Periodontitis, begins to be denied. Certain enzymes are also found in saliva (saliva) of a patient suffering from periodiarditis such as aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (ast, alt), lactate dehydrogenase (ldh), cretin canes (ck), alkaline and acidic phosphatases ( alp, acp) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt).

All these enzymes alter the mucous membranes present inside the mouth in such a way that they allow lung-causing bacteria to stick to the mucous membranes and grow. Scientists further state that cytokines (a type of immune cell present in the body) such as interleukin-1 and TNF that are present in the tissues suffering from Periodontitis dissolve in saliva and are then absorbed by the lungs. These cytokines cause some changes in the cellular layers of the lungs, causing infection-causing bacteria to grow in the lungs.

Bacteria and pneumonia present in the mouth-

It has also been reported that oral cavities, ie bacteria present in the mouth, initiate and aggravate conditions like pneumonia and sepsis. Tested to find out what effect the periodontal bacteria P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum and P. intermedia have on pneumonia, the results showed that P. intermedia was used to induce severe pneumonia in people suffering from periodontitis. Is considered responsible for.

In a randomized controlled trial in Japan, 417 patients in a nursing home were given oral care, ie oral care, after each meal and compared these with a controlled group who did not receive oral care. was. The study later concluded that out of the control group, 19% had pneumonia whereas those who were given oral care, only 11% had pneumonia.

What does this study conclude?

Dr. Nagar says that the results of this study led to the conclusion that if a person takes full care of his mouth cleanliness, then the risk of lung infection can be reduced. Apart from this, many of the complexes associated with Kovid-19 like - pneumonia and sepsis risk can also be reduced. For this, it is very important that people brush well 2 times daily so that they can protect their mouth from disease causing bacteria. People suffering from Periodontitis should visit their dentist regularly and get their teeth and mouth cleaned properly.

Don't be afraid of Covid-19, be careful. Be healthy yourself and keep your loved ones healthy as well.