“Getting your teeth cleaned does not increase your risk of COVID-19 infection any more than drinking a glass of water from the dentist’s office does,” said lead author Purnima Kumar, a professor of periodontology at Ohio State University in Columbus.
This study showed that bacteria or viruses in aerosol spray from dental treatment, such as drills and scaling tools, comes from water irrigation rather than saliva.
Even when low levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were found in the saliva of asymptomatic patients, the aerosols generated during their dental work showed no signs of the coronavirus, the research found.
So, the risk of spreading infection is not high – which is reassuring for everyone.
However, we should not lose sight of the fact that this virus spreads through aerosols via speaking, coughing or sneezing so wearing masks and maintaining social distancing at the dental practice protects dental staff and patients alike.
Furthermore, emerging evidence shows that if you have poor oral health, you are more susceptible to COVID-19, so it is important to get any oral or dental problems treated as soon as possible.
