Tooth loss could be another consequence of Covid-19

PanARMENIAN.Net - The list of symptoms linked to the coronavirus may have a new addition: tooth loss. At least three recovered Covid-19 patients — 2 adult women and a 12-year-old boy — have had a tooth fall out amid their recovery from the disease, The New York Times reports.

There’s no rigorous evidence yet that the infection can lead to tooth loss or related problems. But Farah Khemili, 43, who lost one of her teeth while recovering from the virus, says other people from a support group she has joined have also described teeth falling out, as well as sensitive gums and teeth turning gray or chipping.

A woman reported that her 12-year-old son lost one of his adult teeth, months after he had a mild case of Covid-19. Others in the Facebook group have posted about teeth falling out without bleeding. One woman lost a tooth while eating ice cream. Eileen Luciano of Edison, N.J., had a top molar pop out in early November when she was flossing.

Some dentists, however, cite a lack of data and are skeptical that Covid-19 alone could cause dental symptoms.

“It’s extremely rare that teeth will literally fall out of their sockets,” said Dr. David Okano, a periodontist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

But existing dental problems may worsen as a result of Covid-19, he added, especially as patients recover from the acute infections and contend with its long-term effects.

The new coronavirus wreaks havoc by binding to the ACE2 protein, which is ubiquitous in the human body. Not only is it found in the lungs, but also on nerve and endothelial cells. Therefore, it’s possible that the virus has damaged the blood vessels that keep the teeth alive in Covid-19 survivors; that also may explain why those who have lost their teeth feel no pain.