How STDs Affect Oral Health

Americans acquire almost 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) every year. There are more than 20 types of STDs. The human papillomavirus (HPV) and chlamydia are the most prevalent, trailed by genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. These diseases affect your whole body, and some impact your mouth. 

Choosing the right dentist is a personal decision. The office of Quinsigamond Dental of Shrewsbury has a well-earned reputation for exceptional skill, a patient-centered approach and a commitment to ongoing education. We prioritize comfort and patient satisfaction, which give our patients confidence that they’re in superior hands when receiving professional and compassionate care.

HPV can show up in your mouth and throat. Its high-risk strains are linked to head and neck cancers that are hard to detect because they usually develop in the folds of the tonsils, in the back of the throat or at the base of the tongue in the throat. HPV’s low-risk strains can produce lesions or warts in your throat or mouth. They’re painless, non-cancerous and frequently have no or a few symptoms. The lesions or warts periodically come and go; a dentist may advise you to have them surgically removed. 

Herpes has two strains: simplex virus type 1 and simplex virus type 2, and neither has a cure. Type 1 is commonly related to cold sores and other mouth lesions, but 1 and 2 are exceedingly contagious and can be transmitted between the genitals and mouth via saliva and contact with open blisters during and right before an outbreak. The blisters during an outbreak are gray, yellow, pink, red or clear. 

The initial stage of a syphilis infection shows up as sores, called chancres, on your gums, the tip of your tongue, your lips or near your tonsils. They begin as small red patches and expand into red, gray or yellow open sores. They’re highly contagious and frequently painful. 

Gonorrhea is a bacteria that invades mucous membranes, including those in your mouth. It can be tough to spot because the symptoms are often slight and unnoticeable. Gonorrhea’s usual indications are a throat that is sore or burns. Swollen glands and white spots in your mouth might also show up. 

Depending on the suspected STD, a dentist can test symptoms using a throat culture swab, a biopsy, and examinations of the whole head and neck. 

Dental health is integral not only to your physical well-being but also to your confidence and quality of life. Quinsigamond Dental of Shrewsbury’s emphasis on modern techniques and technologies reassures you that your dental needs will be met with precision and care. Please call us today to make an appointment.