Oral Manifestations of COVID-19

María Eugenia Nemeth Kohanszky; Carolina Paz Matus Abásolo & Rolando Rafael Carrasco Soto

Summary

On January 8, 2020, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention officially reported the identification of a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as the pathogen causing the global COVID-19 pandemic. The main clinical manifestations produced by SARS-CoV-2 are well described in the literature. However, the information about oral manifestations is limited. It has been suggested that the oral cavity is a perfect habitat for SARS-CoV-2 invasion due to the special affinity that the virus has for cells with the receptors for the converted angiotensin enzyme (ACE2), present in the respiratory tract, oral mucosal, tongue and salivary glands, thus being able to affect the functioning of the salivary glands, sensations of taste, smell and integrity of the oral mucosa. The new coronavirus could have the ability to alter the balance of the oral microbiota, which added to a depressed immune system would allow opportunistic infections colonization. It has been established that correct oral hygiene could decrease the incidence and severity of the main complications of COVID-19. The objective of this study is to review and analyze the available evidence in relation to oral manifestations at the mucosa, salivary glands disorders and olfactory and gustatory alterations in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

KEYWORDS: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, oral manifestations.

How to cite this article

NEMETH, K. M. E.; MATUS, A. C. P. & CARRASCO, S. R. R. Oral manifestations of COVID-19. Int. J. Odontostomat., 14(4):555-560, 2020.