Oral Manifestations

Abstract

COVID-19 infection is a threat to the global healthcare system due to its high mortality profile, especially among persons with existing comorbidities. Though the commonest symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, dyspnea, and sputum production, there are variable orofacial manifestations ranging from the more common features (dysgeusia, xerostomia, and oral mucosal lesions) to the less common manifestations (facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, macroglossia, pain and swelling of the masticatory muscles). The tongue is the most common intraoral site affected followed by labial mucosa and palate.

Maintaining a good oral hygiene practice has been associated with a reduction in the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and the treatment for the orofacial manifestations includes the use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, diphenhydramine. Additionally, the use of mouthwash, antibiotics and sometimes no treatment at all, in which case the lesions resolve within 3 to 21 days, can also be explored.