Manifestações orais e a Covid-19: revisão da literatura

Abstract

The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered several health challenges. The high degree of transmissibility and the high number of asymptomatic patients are responsible for the 2020 pandemic scenario. Besides the systemic involvement, the patients may manifest oral lesions and taste and olfactory disorders. The aim of this study is to review the literature regarding oral manifestations in patients affected by COVID-19. For this, a review was performed using the PubMed database with the keywords: “COVID-19”, “SARS-Cov-2” and “Oral manifestations”. The research included all articles published from January 1st to December 30th in 2020. 29 articles were found and all of them were included. Prevalence works, case reports and case series, reviews, systematic reviews, Editor's comments were identified, which were included for reading, because they presented case reports in this format. There was no language restriction. There is no consensus in the literature that the direct cause of the oral lesions is SARS-Cov-2 infection, however the patient's lack of previous oral hygiene, opportunistic infections, stress, immunosuppression and the inflammatory response secondary to the COVID-19 are predisposing factors to the appearance of these oral manifestations. Olfactory and gustatory disorders usually appears early in the course of the disease, and disorders in salivary flow may also be present. The most common lesions were ulcerative, erosive and vesiculobullous. There is a consensus that the presence of the dentist in the hospital is essential for a thorough oral examination to be carried out and, thus, the health of patients affected by COVID-19 is preserved.