Doctors and dentists debate whether COVID-19 can cause tooth loss

(Journalist)
– COVID-19 has already been linked to an “epidemic of cracked teeth”. Now some think the disease could cause people’s teeth to fall out. the New York Times reports this “puzzling” symptom in coronavirus survivors. Patient from online support group for survivors says one of her teeth fell out while eating ice cream; another says her molar fell out while flossing. “It was the last thing I thought would happen,” noted the last survivor. The strangest of all of these cases is that the teeth fall out without any sign of blood or pain, with some doctors saying this suggests that the virus is attacking the blood vessels in the gums and cutting off blood flow. The HuffPost details other anecdotes of dental problems long after patients have healed, including sore gums and chipped, discolored teeth.

But dentists say there isn’t a lot of evidence to prove COVID-19 alone is responsible for these oral problems. Instead, they theorize, the virus can exacerbate already existing dental problems. However, not all of the COVID-19 survivors who suffered oral complications did not have pre-existing dental problems – a 12-year-old with healthy teeth lost an adult tooth months after recovery. In addition to a possible problem with blood circulation, doctors believe the mouth could be a prime breeding ground for the virus due to a high presence of ACE2 cell receptors that the virus likes to hang on. Health experts say dentists should at least be open to the possibility that there is a link, as the virus has produced other bizarre symptoms, such as hair loss and “COVID toes.” (Read more stories about teeth.)