The oral cavity as a barrier against diseases
COVID-19 is a disease that penetrates and often over the mouth and throat into the body. The immune competence of the oral cavity represents the first hurdle for the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, but also for other pathogens. The prevention at the source of the infection is in the Corona-times is particularly important, emphasizes a renowned dental expert.
Professor Dr. Roland Frankenberger is President of the German society for Dental, oral and craniomandibular Sciences (DGZMK). “In connection with the Covid-19 pandemic of dental medicine is on the health of the oral cavity, a particularly important role,” says the dentist. Prevention strengthening the immune competence at the point of origin of the viral infection and help on this promoter function, COVID-19-gradients to mitigate, or even prevent them entirely.
A healthy oral cavity protects against SARS-CoV-2
According to Frank Berger, a healthy mouth protects the cave as a barrier against all possible diseases – also COVID-19. This is also the reverse shows: “There are data now exist, in areas where the lack of oral hygiene causes more diseases like caries or periodontal disease, are also increasingly deadly curves a Corona-are there disease”, explains the President of the scientific umbrella organisation of dental medicine.
Open wounds in the oral cavity entrance gates are
A more common example is the disease periodontitis is in this context. “A Patient who suffers from periodontal disease, has a subgingival inflammation of the gums,” explains Frank Berger. Such inflammation often associated with unnoticed open wound of about 40 square centimeters in the mouth. These sores, in turn, a potential Eintrittstür for pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2.
Break-in at the dentist visit
Frank Berger holds the dental practices this is the reason for relevant to the system. For the reduction of the planned rescue package for dental offices by 50 percent, he has no understanding. “I can not advise all patients urgently to neglect their visits to the dentist and prophylaxis,” advises the expert of dental medicine.
Dental visits help protect against numerous diseases
In addition to the protection from COVID-19 regular visits to the dentist may also offer protection against tooth decay, periodontal disease, or intra-oral cancer. Frank Berger fears that the Coronavirus pandemic, more “silent Victims”, because many people expose the visits to the dentist during the epidemic.
Dentists and patients should not hide
But, many dental practices were begun, only emergency care to carry out. “We dentists have to be there for our patients and we should not be ducking now,” booth calls Frank Berger to the profession. For the best possible protection against COVID-19 the intra-oral Status belonged to fundamentals, and stresses the dentists. The be neglect in any case. (vb)