Is there a link between oral hygiene and post-covid complications?

October 22, 2020

Prime Women | Tuesday, October 20

Yes, say researchers according to a new study published in the British Dental Journal in June 2020. It concludes that poor oral hygiene may be correlated to serious post-COVID-19 complications due to high levels of harmful oral bacteria. It makes sense — the mouth is the gateway to the body, and the study suggests that good oral health practices could help reduce post-COVID-19 complications such as respiratory infections. Armed with this information we encourage Prime Women readers to practice ‘prime’ oral hygiene.

As of this writing, more than eight million cases have been confirmed in the US, and over 200,000 deaths. It appears COVID-19 will be part of our lives for some time to come and it affects people in different ways with patients exhibiting a range of symptoms and severity. The most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Serious symptoms include chest pain or pressure, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath.

So why do some people suffer more severely? It’s become clear that bacterial superinfections are common in patients suffering from a severe case of COVID-19. According to the study, more than 80% of COVID-19 patients in ICUs exhibited an exceptionally high bacterial load, with more than 50% of deaths exhibiting bacterial superinfections.

So, while COVID-19 has a viral origin, it’s suspected that in severe cases, post-complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress (ARDS) may be caused by bacterial superinfections.

And those bacteria may originate in the mouth.

According to the study, “We recommend that oral hygiene be maintained, if not improved, during a SARS-CoV-2 infection in order to reduce the bacterial load in the mouth and the potential risk of bacterial superinfection.”

While this can be cause for alarm, it’s also a call to action to improve your oral hygiene. While flossing and brushing are imperative, the addition of an oral-care probiotic is a key factor in optimizing oral health. Everyone naturally has bacteria in their mouth – both positive and negative. According to leading dental professionals, it is important to balance a load of oral bacteria by repopulating the ‘good’ bacteria which crowds out the ‘bad’. The ‘bad’ bacteria can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. One of the most effective ways to achieve the optimal balance is by adding an oral-care probiotic to your daily oral hygiene regimen.

The Importance Of Oral-Care Probiotics

It’s important to note that oral-care probiotics, designed to support oral health, are NOT the same as more commonly known ‘gut’ probiotics meant for digestive health. Only oral-care probiotics offered by ProBioraHealth – ProBioraPlus^®, ProBioraXtra^®, and ProBioraPro^® – contain ProBiora3^®, a proprietary blend of three naturally occurring strains of beneficial bacteria, including Streptococcus oralis KJ3^®, Streptococcus uberis KJ2^®, and Streptococcus rattus JH145^®, which supports gum and tooth health. ProBiora3 is believed to be the most comprehensive oral-care probiotics technology currently available in the oral healthcare market. The scientific basis for the oral health benefits provided by these three strains of bacteria has been documented in numerous peer-reviewed publications over the last 30 years.

By simply dissolving one mint in your mouth daily at bedtime, the positive bacteria get to work on keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Just think of it as ‘one mint a day keeps the bad guys away!’ And there’s a bonus — you’ll enjoy fresher breath and the naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide whitens your teeth.

Dr. Mark Cannon, a dentist in private practice in Chicago, IL, co-editor of the Journal of Oral Systemic Health and research coordinator of the residency program at Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL encourages fellow dentists to recommend oral-care probiotics to their patients. In a recent video played for the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health, he talks to his peers. “One thing patients can do that is so beneficial to extend the benefits of professional cleanings is by using an oral-care probiotic,” he explains. “PrioBioraPro has three commensal and beneficial bacteria that help prevent periodontal disease and dental caries. There are excellent clinical trials demonstrating how effective they are.”

As the study in the British Dental Journal concludes, especially during COVID, it’s extremely important to practice excellent oral hygiene. You can learn more about the science and professional dental community behind ProBiora Health and order your supply by visiting www.ProBioraHealth.com.

Article originally published via Prime Women