Current studies suggest that cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque influence the severity of COVID-19 complications since the oral cavity is a reservoir for respiratory pathogens potentially responsible for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia. This article focuses on the association between dental plaque and COVID-19 concerning the influence of altered oral biofilm on the risk of increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, it concentrates on the usefulness of propolis, with its apitherapeutic antibacterial properties, for treating oral bacterial infections co-occurring with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A review of the literature on PubMed, Cochrane Library and Medline between 2000 and 2021 revealed 56 published articles indicating that a link between dental plaque and COVID-19 complications was probable. Furthermore, they indicated that propolis may minimize COVID-19 severity by reducing dental plaque accumulation. The possibility that improved oral health could reduce the risk of COVID-19 complications should be of interest to scientists.
【저자키워드】 Propolis, COVID-19 complications, Dental caries, dental plaque, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, Pneumonia, SARS-COV-2 infection, severity, COVID-19 severity, risk, Health, severity of COVID-19, Complication, association, cariogenic bacteria, respiratory pathogen, Cochrane Library, article, oral bacterial infection, risk of COVID-19, current, responsible, indicated, reducing, reduce, concerning, COVID-19 complication, dental plaque accumulation, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19, review, literature, dental, plaque, influence,