For dental professionals who operate in the oral and nasal cavities the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a severe threat. Since the mouth is a portal for taking in the coronavirus, oral care should be amongst the topmost priorities.
Dr. AvinashBidra, a clinical associate professor of prosthodontics at the School of Dental Medicine and Dr. BelachewTessema, ENT physician at ProHealth Physicians, investigated a way to decontaminate the patient’s oral and nasal cavities to protect and prevent transmission.
Their studies have proven that a simple method of rinsing with a diluted version of over-the-counter PVP-I solutions can kill viruses and can prevent transmission in as little as 15 seconds.
“We were not satisfied with the safety provided by masks and face shields. Almost all procedures involve aerosol production, resulting in a higher risk for clinicians, assistants, and patients” says Dr. Bidra.
PVP-I solutions are typically sold over the counter at 10% concentration to be used as an antiseptic for wounds.
The test ran three different diluted concentrations of 1.5%, 1% and 0.5% at three different contact times of 15 seconds, 30 seconds and 45 seconds. Research showed that the lowest concentration of 0.5% and the lowest contact period of 15 seconds was enough to completely inactivate SARS CoV-2 in the laboratory.
Bidra and Tessema recommend using 9.5 ml of water and 0.5ml of a commercially available 10% povidone-iodine antiseptic solution to create a 0.5% diluted solution. The dilution should be done before rinsing and should be for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Precaution should be taken if allergic to iodine, if they are pregnant or if theysuffer from the thyroid.
“This is a simple and inexpensive method to protect oneself when coming in close contact with people. We believe this has immediate and tremendous dental public health impact for patients and for dental professionals, amidst the ongoing pandemic” says Dr. Bidra.
“The safety of povidone-iodine in the sinonasal and oral cavity has been well documented and we have shown that the SARS CoV-2 virus can be rapidly inactivated by a topical application. Studies have shown that the nasal and oropharyngeal cells are reservoirs for SARS-CoV2 infection. We believe that nasal and oral decontamination with PVP-I may play a role in mitigating viral transmission beyond PPE.” says Tessema.
The researchers are optimistic that this method can benefit those engaged in high-risk activities outside of a dental or otolaryngology setting. Anyone engaging in risky activities like barbers and hair dressersmay benefit from this method.
Oral conditions may impact infection in other parts of the body, especially in people with a compromised immune system.
Here are a few things you could do to improve your oral health.
- Brush, floss, rinse, repeat
Preventative measures like brushing and flossing are a must, as it might be a while until your next dental appointment. Staying hydrated throughout the day will also help remove plaque and bacteria.
- Clean and replace your toothbrush regularly
The bristles of your toothbrush can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Fungi, like candida, can live on a toothbrush. A good way to keep your toothbrush clean is to rinse it with hydrogen peroxide once a week to keep the bristles clean.
- Do not share oral hygiene products
If you’re sharing oral hygiene products with anyone in your family, stop immediately. Periodontal disease, a common septic condition caused by poor hygiene and candidiasis, can be spread easily via toothbrush. So can viruses such as streptococcus mutans, which can cause MRSA infections as well as Herpes simplex and HPV, a virus linked to esophageal, oral and cervical cancers.
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