BY NORMAN J CLEMENT RPH., DDS
WARNING: THIS ARTCLE CONTAINS GROSS HUMAN AND NECK DISSECTIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND MUST BE USED WITH DIGNITY AND THE UTMOST RESPECT
This article advances the theory of the Clement Postulate of The Jumping Penguin, that Dentistry may save millions of lives once the COVID-19 Virus enters the oral pharyngeal(mouth and nose) region by the increase brushing teeth, tongue and roof of the mouth, and most importantly, gargling with an antiseptic mouth rinse (Listerine, Crest Pro-Health Advanced, Hydrogen Peroxide)
GOOD ORAL HYGIENE MAY HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE
COVID-19 is an oral pharyngeal disease before it becomes a pulmonary and systemic disease.(1) Once this virus gets past your hands and into your mouth and nose, your dentist, the dental office, Dental schools must be brought on board and utilized for testing and identification of preventive procedures. Therefore, along with washing your hands frequently, one should brush your teeth/ tongue and roof of your mouth, along with flossing at least 6 to 8 times daily, as well as rinsing your mouth with an over-the-counter antiseptic mouthwash and swishing, and expectorate(spitting)and at least 5 to 7 times daily. It may save your life.
THE CLEMENT POSTULATE and THE JUMPING ROCK HOPPER PENGUIN
Both the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization(WHO) have failed to address the mechanism of action of the COVID-19 virus once it goes beyond your hands and masks and enters the oral pharyngeal cavity. More importantly, CDC and WHO have failed to address how long the virus survives in dental plague or its relationship to poor oral hygiene. Think about it, if the virus can stick to a golf flag pole several hours, it will likely live on dental restorations, tongue, throat, inside your nose several days, and especially a poorly cared for mouth.
The Clement Jumping Penguin Postulate(CJPP) is designed around the anatomy of oral pharyngeal structures and their relationship to the Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Hypopharynx, followed by the larynx which lies in front of the esophagus. Below the larynx, as seen here in orange is the trachea or windpipe and most importantly is the relationship of these structures to the tongue.
MOUTH ANATOMY (ORAL ANATOMY) 101
Once the COVID-19 virus passes one’s hand and enters the mouth through either the oral cavity and/or nasal cavity, it sticks onto or between teeth , dental plaque, dental restorations (fillings), inside the cheeks (buccal mucosa), the tongue, roof of mouth (palate, palatal rugae), tonsillar crypts and fissures within the oral cavity, where it accumulates to grow or multiply. (2)
1.) The virus is moved around by saliva or food or simple breathing. Therefore brushing alone does not totally rid a person of the virus. In order for the virus to live the dirtier, the mouth the better.
2.) At some point a person, may notice a loss or change of taste. This is because the outside of the tongue is sensory and detects taste within the mouth or when something within the mouth is bitter or sweet. These symptoms to a oral health specialist would indicate involment of some kind to the glossopharyngeal nerve or the ninth cranial nerve (IX), (see above or above diagram)
3.) Within the nasal cavity the Covid-19 virus begins to affect sense of smell. This would indicate involvement of the Olfactory Nerve (smell nerve) cranial nerve one (I).
Here’s where it gets interesting:
4.) The COVID-19 Virus moves into the deep oral pharyngeal structures (the Nasopharynx, Oropharynx Hypopharynx), The effected person(s) might complain of a slight sore throat, tingling or scratchy sensation. While on the Back of the tongue the COVID-19 virus sits there and waits for the opportunity to jump similar to the Rock Hopper Penguin .
5) When the virus has accumulated on the back of the tongue and pharyngeal walls, coughing allows the COVID-19 Virus to fall into the esophagus where it is neutralized. However, some of the virus will be successful in jumping into the larynx, and descend into the trachea, and then to the lungs where it goes to work.
More importantly, it has been reported in the literature, The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 135, issue 4 April 2004, Pages 429-437, Aerosols and Splatter in Dentistry: A Brief Review of the Literature and Infection Control Implications, by Stephen K. Harreld, DDS., John Molinari, Ph.D.;(1)(2)
” The saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions also may contain other pathogenic organisms. These may include common cold and influenza viruses, herpes viruses, pathogenic streptococci and staphylococci, and the SARS virus. The use of universal precautions with all patients initially was based on the assumption that all patients may have an infectious bloodborne infection, such as with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and HIV. It also should be assumed that all patients may have an infectious disease that has the potential to be spread by dental aerosols; thus, universal precautions to limit aerosols also should be in place.”
THROUGH DENTISTRY WE CAN REDUCE OR CONTROL DENTAL THE DENTAL VIRAL LOAD
As the coughing increases, negative pressure causes the COVID virus, to jump into the lungs. Thus the understanding of the Clement Jumping Penguin Postulate(CJPP). However, through dentistry and dental oral hygiene, followed by COVID-19 dental intervention guidelines ,we can reduce Oral Viral Load (OVL).
In gross dissected structures, we can see the anatomical relationship between the nasal sinus. oral cavity. and tongue to get a better understanding of the oral physiological component
In the next gross dissection, the tongue is drawn back to demonstrate the teeth, tongue, and nasal sinus relationship.
Also seen here, is very a small section of the lower part of the nasopharynx wall and the oropharynx wall which sits directly behind the back part of the tongue. It is from this section of the oral structures where it is theorized the COVID virus jumps into the esophagus and trachea.
This photo gives the reader a clear understaning of the relationship of the nasal sinus, oral cavity and tongue for a better understanding of dental oral anatomical components
DON’T DISCOUNT GRANDMA’S HAND
While having attained degrees in both health sciences of Pharmacy and Dentistry, let’s not forget our faith, spiritual beliefs and some of those cultural and generational remedies from those who have endured and gone before us or Grandma’s hands.
Every person whom I’ve spoken to that has recovered from COVID-19, has had two strong beliefs in common:
- A strong sense of Spirit, Faith and God; “…after you’ve done all you can…you just stand and let the Lord see you through“
- Ginger, Ginger root, Jamaican Ginger Beer warmed and with a slice of lemon.
While Grandmas may have not been physicians, pharmacists, dentists or lawyers, their remedies work because warm ginger with lemon reduces the Oral Viral Load(OVL) in the oral pharyngeal Cavity because the Achilles heel of the COVID virus is heat.
I grew up in Detroit so my preference has always been warm Vernors Ginger Ale with a slice of lemon, sipped slowly. Of course one can use Ginger Beer, Ginger Root boiled and served, but there is a third belief which comes from Grandma.
3. “USE GOOD COMMON SENSE,” because, ” A HARD HEAD WILL MAKE A SOFT BEHIND”
BRUSH YOUR TEETH, YOUR TONGUE AND THE ROOF OF YOUR MOUTH, AND FLOSS 6 TO 8 TIMES PER DAY. RINSE WITH STRONG MOUTH WASH 5 TO 7 TIMES PER DAY AND DON’T WAIT ON THE CDC
So, once again, along with washing your hands frequently, brushing your teeth, tongue and roof of the mouth, floss at least 6 to 8 times daily. Rinsing with an over-the-counter mouthwash, swish, and expectorate (spit) at least 5 to 7 times daily, along with Grandma’s remedies will reduce the viral load within the mouth (Oral Cavity) and MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE.
FOR NOW: FOR BETTER DENTAL HEALTH CARE
YOU ARE WITHIN THE NORMS
END NOTES
2 Comments