COVID-19: Oral Manifestations-A Dentist's Perspective

Covid-19 is a global pandemic disease which has crippled health care system and economics worldwide. According to WHO, an acute respiratory infection, fever and cough are the most valid diagnostic clinical features. Some common orofacial manifestations of this viral infection may contribute to early diagnosis of covid-19 infection. Oral manifestations include olfactory and gustatory disturbances, dry mouth, facial pain, vesicobullous lesions such as erosion, pustule, macule, papule, plaque, pigmentation and depapilliated tongue with whitish areas, hemorrhagic crust, necrosis, swelling and  erythema. The most common sites of involvement in descending order are tongue (38%), labial mucosa (26%), and palate (22%).  Oral lesions are symptomatic in 68% of the cases who test positive for SARS Co-V. Lack of oral hygiene, opportunistic infections, stress, immunosuppression, vasculitis, and hyper-inflammatory response secondary to COVID-19 are the most important predisposing factors for onset of oral lesions in COVID-19 patients