Mortality during the pandemic and oral health

Scientists are studying the COVID-19 data furiously, and are narrowing down a panel of predictors for severity and mortality from this disease.

Importantly, two significant markers of mortality risk from COVID-19, are also blood-based markers for chronic oral inflammation: lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). LDH is associated with tissue breakdown in various diseases, including pulmonary disorders (pneumonia) and periodontal disease. hsCRP foretells inflammation, including that in the mouth.

These observations jive with reports that severe COVID-19 patients have poor oral health.

It makes sense because most residences in geriatric care have no access to oral healthcare services and nursing homes are the hot spots for COVID-19.

Could this suggest that better management of chronic oral inflammation (oral dysbiosis) in geriatric care, is part of the mix of preventive procedures to reduce the severity of the pandemic?