It's been more than a year since the WHO declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020. This is because a lot of factors regarding the coronavirus infection have been clearly determined.
Like we all know, COVID-19 is primarily an infectious viral disease. It spreads from a sick person to a healthy individual using viral droplets transmitted when infected people cough, sneeze or exhale in close contact.
It majorly affects the upper respiratory tract and, in severe instances, presents breathing problems and damages lung functions. It also easily infects individuals who are immunologically compromised and have a pre-existing medical illness.
The common symptoms of coronavirus disease include fever, cough, cold, sore throat, sometimes accompanied by headaches and fatigue. But new symptoms are being considered, and this time, it's related to your oral health.
In this pandemic, most people have ignored their oral health by avoiding a visit to their dentist and, unknowingly so, have ignored one of the prominent oral COVID-19 symptoms. One such symptom is the covid tongue.
What is the covid tongue?
Covid tongue is an inflammatory disorder that usually appears on the top and the sides of the tongue. As a result, there is inflammation and ulcers on the tongue.
The affected tongue typically has a bald, red area of varying sizes surrounded by an irregular white border. Thus, the disease is commonly referred to as the "geographic tongue."
There are also painful rashes, prominent dents along the sides of the tongue, and loss of structure known as papillae. Papillae are tiny projections that present a rough surface on the tongue and are basically responsible for the senses of the taste.
So when coronavirus infects an individual, loss of papillae results in loss of taste which is a significant diagnostic symptom in COVID-19.
What causes covid tongue?
Our body cells contain enzymes called ACE receptors. Coronavirus latches onto these ACE receptors. Since our tongue contains many of these cells, the coronavirus latches to a lot of ace receptors on our tongue, giving us a covid tongue.
Other dental or oral symptoms of COVID-19 :
- Your body fails to produce saliva that protects your mouth from bad bacteria.
- Dry mouth.
- Stickiness in your mouth.
- Difficulty in chewing food.
- Difficulty in speaking.
- Ulcers in the mouth.
- Mild swelling in the tongue.
What oral hygiene precautions to be taken for COVID-19 and covid tongue?
- Brush twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash once daily for gargles.
- Dont share your toothpaste with your family members.
- Keep your toothbrush and toothpaste separate from that of your family members.
- Get a routine dental check-up done every 6 months.
What treatment should you take for covid tongue?
If you see having symptoms of the covid tongue, it is important to check for other symptoms and get the diagnostic tests to confirm COVID-19.
If it is positive, it is advised to consult your physician to get the proper treatment for COVID-19 disease, which will also help treat the oral symptoms of the disease.
Nevertheless, as careful we all should be during this pandemic, it is essential to act responsibly by following all the safety protocols and getting vaccinated.
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