Oral hygiene reminders for severe COVID-19 prevention

Dr. Kami Hoss reminds us that a person’s dental health goes much farther than just the teeth and gums. It turns out good oral hygiene is an effective way to avoid getting sick. It can help keep one’s teeth and gums strong, which may help prevent them from contracting cavities or tooth decay caused by poor dental health. This blog post will help you see why a person’s dental health can tell us a lot about their overall well-being.

Periodontal disease can be related to cardiovascular disease, and this has been well established in scientific and medical literature. While the mouth may seem separate from the rest of the body, bacteria in the oral cavity may impact organs negatively. Individuals with comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes, and obesity, are at a greater risk of suffering from severe COVID-19. Each of these diseases is known to be caused by inflammation, the same culprit for periodontal disease, shares Dr. Kami Hoss. Improved oral hygiene can also prevent the progression of COVID-19.

Some have found that improving their dental hygiene habits while experiencing a COVID-19 infection may reduce the bacteria load in the oral cavity. Moreover, practicing good dental hygiene decreases the risk of bacterial superinfection. With this information in mind, it becomes apparent that practicing good oral hygiene habits is paramount to overall health. Dentists and dental hygienists must remind patients to take dental health seriously.

Dr. Kami Hoss suggests that the best action for individuals with other health risk factors would be to get checked by a dentist for periodontal disease diagnosis and specialized oral health treatments. In addition to seeing their dentist, they must also follow their general doctor’s orders regarding the treatment of any pre-existing medical conditions.

Dr. Kami Hoss is the CEO of The Super Dentists, the largest pediatric dentistry and orthodontic practice in San Diego. He holds master’s in craniofacial surgery and a doctorate in dental surgery. For more from Dr. Kami Hoss, visit this blog.