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    May 12, 2022
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HOW COVID-19 CAN AFFECT YOUR MOUTH A lost or altered sense of taste, dry mouth and sores are common among COVID-19 patients and those symptoms may last long after others disappear, Brazilian researchers report. Nearly 4 in 10 COVID patients experience impaired taste or total loss of taste, but dry mouth affects even more - up to 43%, according to their broad review of more than 180 published studies. The review looked at oral health symptoms in nearly 65,000 COVID patients around the world - with some predictable and also some surprising results. "Regarding COVID-19 patients specifically, the important message is to maintain healthy oral health habits during their illness if they are able to do so," said Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a spokesman for the American Dental Association who reviewed the findings. "Dry mouth significantly increases the risk for tooth decay, so brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing once a day, imiting snacking, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks are the best ways to maintain their oral health." By now, most people are aware that loss of smell and taste are key symptoms of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But the research review by a team led by University of Brasilia researcher E.N.S. Guerra identified a number of variations on that theme. Folks with COVID can have a reduced sense of taste (hypogeusia); a distorted sense of taste, in which everything tastes sweet, sour, bitter or metallic (dysgeusia); or a total loss of all taste (ageusia), according to the study. Some COVID patients also reported lesions on or under their tongue or along the gums and sides of the mouth, the study found. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL1976914 HOW COVID-19 CAN AFFECT YOUR MOUTH A lost or altered sense of taste, dry mouth and sores are common among COVID-19 patients and those symptoms may last long after others disappear, Brazilian researchers report. Nearly 4 in 10 COVID patients experience impaired taste or total loss of taste, but dry mouth affects even more - up to 43%, according to their broad review of more than 180 published studies. The review looked at oral health symptoms in nearly 65,000 COVID patients around the world - with some predictable and also some surprising results. "Regarding COVID-19 patients specifically, the important message is to maintain healthy oral health habits during their illness if they are able to do so," said Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a spokesman for the American Dental Association who reviewed the findings. "Dry mouth significantly increases the risk for tooth decay, so brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing once a day, imiting snacking, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks are the best ways to maintain their oral health." By now, most people are aware that loss of smell and taste are key symptoms of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But the research review by a team led by University of Brasilia researcher E.N.S. Guerra identified a number of variations on that theme. Folks with COVID can have a reduced sense of taste (hypogeusia); a distorted sense of taste, in which everything tastes sweet, sour, bitter or metallic (dysgeusia); or a total loss of all taste (ageusia), according to the study. Some COVID patients also reported lesions on or under their tongue or along the gums and sides of the mouth, the study found. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL1976914