In addition to having significant health consequences, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our family dynamics, derailed our goals, and undermined global economic stability. And while lots of extensive research is still required to establish the overall impact of the pandemic on our oral and overall health, preliminary clinical results have shown that Covid-19 can potentially affect blood circulation. And this partly explains why some COVID-19 patients ended up having brown teeth.
What’s more, some patients are finding out that their enamel either breaks down entirely or gets thinner over time. To help prevent any of these problems from affecting your dental health, it is imperative that you schedule routine appointments with your local dentist. You also need to practice proper dental hygiene, by brushing and flossing your teeth more regularly.
It is imperative to note that most of these potential effects may not be noticed until you visit your dentist for checkups or any other reasons.
Be watchful of any changes in your teeth and overall dental health after contracting the deadly disease, particularly unpredicted changes that could signify potential infection. If you are suffering from any dental-related problems following the Cocid-19 infection, don’t hesitate to see your doctor immediately. This is because treatment is usually more effective the sooner you are examined by a professional.
Below are some potential dental health problems you are highly likely to experience after contracting covid-19:
- Teeth discoloration: Several Covid-19 patients have reported having their front teeth getting discolored, enamel getting thinner, or completely breaking down. What’s more, others have reported having black sludge in their mouths, which can be attributed to an acid reaction from the bacteria present in coronavirus. Also, some people have reported having gray, green, or even very black teeth. And while this is a rare Covid-19 side effect, it can be very noticeable, resulting in a significant drop in self-confidence in the affected individual.
- Oral pain: After contracting the novel coronavirus, some patients have reportedly experienced toothaches, dental pain as well as mouth odor. These can all mean an infection is either developing or has already developed in your mouth. This implies that you should always schedule regular dental appointments besides regularly brushing and flossing your teeth. Regardless of the severity of your dental pain following the Covid-19 infection, you should act very first and see your doctor. It is worth noting that even the slightest of infections could result in an infection that shows your teeth are shifting and even starting to fit uncomfortably inside your mouth.
- Gum and tooth sensitivity: Some patients have also reported experiencing increased gum and tooth sensitivity after contracting the virus. Thankfully, this is usually a short-term issue. To minimize sensitivity, you can use a straw when either drinking or chewing sugarless gums. And if your pain becomes unbearable, don’t hesitate to see your doctor.
- Loss of teeth: Some Covid-19 patients have reported having their teeth falling off! And even though Covid-19 isn’t the only potential cause of this condition, it could aggravate any underlying dental problems. Bearing in mind that the CDC’s data postulates that nearly 50% of adults aged 30 and above currently have some form of periodontal disease, that could be a possibility.
- Dental cavities: Preliminary research suggests that cavities can be a pathway or the Covid-19 virus. However, research also shows that the virus can weaken your teeth. You are highly susceptible to both cavities and tooth decay once you contract the virus. And this is arguably the most common dental health issue associated with Covid-19 infection. The bacteria that thrive in your mouth can, however, affect your teeth even if you don’t have Covid-19 symptoms.
Covid-19 can potentially affect your oral health. Should you experience any dental problems after contracting the virus, kindly act very fast and schedule an appointment with your local dentist!
If you are looking for a dentist, HPS Advanced Dental Care would love to see you. Dr. Heather is gladly accepting new patients.
We are located at 4741 24 Mile Rd. Shelby Township, MI 48316, and we can be reached at (248) 652-0024. We look forward to meeting you!
