Long COVID-19 effect on Prevalence of Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease and Correlation with Salivary Total Antioxidant Capacity and Alpha Amylase Levels among Subpopulation of North Karnataka Region of India

To evaluate the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease and its correlation with salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and alpha amylase levels in subpopulation of North Karnataka region of India.

About 180 subjects (16–55 years) were selected for the study and were divided into two groups (n = 90). Group 1: No history of COVID 19 disease and group 2: history of recovered COVID 19 disease. Each group was further divided into three subgroups (n=30) A: no dental caries and periodontal disease, B: dental caries and C: periodontal disease. Dental caries and periodontal disease were assessed using the decay, missing, filled, treatment (DMFT) index and Community periodontal index (CPI) and loss of attachment (LA). About 5ml of collected unstimulated saliva samples were centrifuged, and the supernatants were subjected to 2,2′ azino bis [3 ethylbenzothiazoline 6 sulfonic acid] (ABTS) assay for salivary TAC levels and 3,5 dinitro salicylic acid (DNS) for SAA levels and absorbance were recorded under visible spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was done using Chi square test, one way analysis of variance, post hoc Tukey and unpaired t tests (p< 0.05).

COVID 19 recovered subjects showed higher prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease with decreased salivary TAC and increased SAA levels.

Higher prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease with lower levels of salivary TAC levels and increased SAA levels suggesting higher stress levels were found in COVID 19 recovered individuals.