The SARS-CoV-2 manifestations within the oral cavity

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic that began on 31 December 2019 is considered as the world’s most deadly infectious disease of the century. COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory disease, but it can really affect any organ in the body. This capability depends on several factors such as the method that is utilised by the virus for cell entry. The virus binds to Angiotens in Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors which are present in many cell types and tissues including salivary glands and oral mucosal epithelia [1]. It is therefore not surprising that several tissues in the oral cavity could be a target of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with COVID-19 show wide range of oral manifestations, that has become a major concern for the dental and oral health specialists. The majority of oral health conditions in patients with COVID-19 are: aphthous-like ulcers, herpes-like lesions, fungal infections, glossitis/depapillation/geographic tongue, parotitis and angular cheilitis. These signs and symptoms can be detected in different anatomical subsites of the oral cavity such as oral mucosa, tongue, palate, gingiva and lips [1]. Brandão et al. have shown that older patients with severe form of disease tend to have more severe and widespread oral lesions [2].