Oral complications of HIV

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, people living with HIV face an elevated risk of oral health issues. In fact, studies indicate more than one-third of people with HIV have oral health problems as a result of a weakened immune system. Common issues include oral warts, thrush, canker sores, fever blisters, and white hair-like growth in the mouth. Fortunately, most of these can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Another serious issue faced by people living with HIV is dry mouth. This occurs when a person does not have enough saliva to keep their mouth moist. Dry mouth can cause a person to feel like their lips are chapped, and their mouth is sticky or even burning. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research suggests HIV patients treat the symptoms of dry mouth by sipping water, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, not eating salty foods, chewing sugarless gum, and using a humidifier at night. In some cases, a health professional will also prescribe artificial saliva.

To learn more about the special issues faced by people with HIV, talk to a dentist on your True Dental Discounts, dental plan. He or she can give you an overview of common conditions and their symptoms and work with you to develop an oral care plan that fits your life.

Remember: It’s extremely important to take care of any existing issues before they worsen and cause other serious health problems.