COVID-19 Stress and Lack of Exercise Wreak Havoc on Oral Health Quality of Life

In a study of more than 230 Japanese older adults, researchers found that COVID-19-related stress and subsequent lack of activity negatively impacted subjects’ oral health quality of life which study authors defined as “oral health, functional well-being, emotional well-being, expectations and satisfaction with care, and sense of self, which is an integral part of general health and well-being.” Of the participants, 97% reported experiencing stress related to the pandemic and more than 27% reported this stress led to a reduction in exercise. Interestingly, the researchers did not find a direct link between reduced oral health quality of life and COVID-19-related stress alone, but rather the combination of low exercise and pandemic stress increased the risk for reduced oral health quality of life. The study was published in Nature. Click here to read more.