Oral Manifestation of Viral and Covid Infections in Children

Oral diseases account for the most prevalent diseases worldwide ,including a range of chronic clinical conditions that affect the oral cavity, mouth and the teeth. And as oral cavity is the window to the general health, oral diseases and systemic diseases can be found either directly or indirectly interrelated to each other. At times, oral manifestations may also be present as a diagnostic indicator of specific systemic diseases.Some commonly encountered systemic diseases in children caused by viral infection like Herpes Simplex Virus ,Chickenpox ,Measles ,Mumps, HIV and CoronaVirus can have their specific characteristic oral manifestation. Currently it is known that the global pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 that was initially thought to be less susceptible in children may also have serious impact on the pediatric population.Thus, in order to maintain the oral health during early childhood and for the proper growth and development of the child, it is very important for the pediatric dentist to know the proper diagnosis and management of oral manifestations and refer the child to a pediatrician for effective treatment, if the presence of any systemic disease is suspected.