ABSTRACT
Background: Covid-19 is a worldwide pandemic causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Many studies have shown the influence of periodontal health on systemic disease. Aims: This article explores the association between periodontal disease (PD), oral dysbiosis and cytokine storm requiring proto- col of maintainence of oral hygiene in covid patients and also in healthy individuals during the pandemic. Covid patients need to be motivated to maintain proper oral hygiene measures to avoid risk of Covid related adverse outcomes. Methods: Data was collected and analyzed from recently published literature and electronic database searches of PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: Covid-19 leads to increased release of cytokines from host cells termed as cytokine storm, many of the components of which are common with the cytokine expression profile of periodontitis. It has been shown that periodontitis was significantly associated with increased risk of complications from the Covid-19 including ICU admission, need for assisted ventilation and death. Conclusion: Plaque control is important to prevent exchange of microorganisms between the oral cavity and the lungs and to reduce the chances of worsening respiratory disease during Covid-19 infection. Understanding this association may definitely help to identify individuals at high risk and deliver appropriate care at early stages.