Oral-Periodontal Health and Cytokine Storm: Correlation and Preventive Measures

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has taken the world by storm, affecting all age groups alike and presenting a plethora of signs and symptoms. Showcasing a high mortality rate, cytokine storm is identified as one of the most common culprits for death in affected individuals. In patients undergoing severe complications in the form of intubations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, increased cytokine levels have again been identified as a significant factor, indicating their substantial role in disease outcomes. Periodontitis, which is identified as a silent pandemic, is the most common oral disease that is found in individuals. The increased accumulations of plaques and calculus are the main causative agents, stimulating inflammatory cells in the periodontal tissue, leading to cytokine release. Individuals with the removable or fixed dental prosthesis are at increased risk of contracting fungal infections, which are also identified as increasing the cytokine levels and worsening an individual’s condition contracted with COVID-19. This review focuses on oral hygiene measures and scientifically proven aids that can be used by patients at home for reducing oral cytokine levels and the risk of COVID-19 related complications, thereby sensitizing them at a time when elective dental procedures are discouraged and patients are devoid of professional dental intervention. Mechanical removal of plaques and calculus cannot be substituted with auxiliary aids, but it is important that adjunct practices be adopted for efficient hygiene. Toothbrush hygiene should also be practiced to prevent disease progression and transmission. Adherence to these recommendations is not only required for healthy or infected individuals but also for viral infection recovered patients to avoid the possible risk of developing the black fungus infection.