A team of international scientists now believes a "breach in the immune defences of the mouth" enables coronavirus particles in saliva to enter the lungs via the bloodstream, potentially triggering complications.
The coronavirus may then pass through the veins in the neck and chest to the heart, before being pumped into the lungs, the scientists wrote in the Journal of Oral Medicine and Dental Research."Simple measures – such as careful toothbrushing and interdental brushing to reduce plaque build-up, along with specific mouthwashes, or even saltwater rinsing to reduce gingival – could help decrease the virus' concentration in saliva," said Professor Chapple.
Gum disease may explain why some seemingly healthy people occasionally become seriously ill with the infection, according to the international scientists. Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth, which can be prevented by brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Dental check-ups also enable any hardened plaque to be removed.
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