Bleeding gums as a sign of HIV infection

introduction

Dental and oral health have a special impact on well-being and quality of life. Diseases and changes within the oral cavity can ultimately have a significant impact on the physical and psychological state.

In the course of an infection with the Hi virus (HIV), such unfavorable changes in the area of ​​the mouth and throat area can be favored.

Read more on the topic: Symptoms of HIV

Bleeding gums and HIV

Since the HI virus (HIV) causes typical diseases within the oral cavity in up to 80 percent of those infected, abnormalities in this area may serve as an indication of an existing infection.
However, it should be pointed out that HIV infections are rare and in very few cases are discovered through bleeding gums. Other more serious symptoms of HIV are more likely to lead to diagnosis.

In the course of the infection, typical fungal infections of the oral mucosa often occur at an early stage. In addition, many infected people suffer from aggressive inflammation of the gums (Latin: gingivitis), which leads to bleeding gums. The main cause of gingivitis is irregular or simply improperly performed oral hygiene.

Read more on the topic: Gingivitis

Deposits on the tooth surface (plaque) can penetrate under the gumline over a long period of time and lead to the formation of deep gum pockets there. These pockets also serve as an ideal habitat and breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens. As a result, inflammatory processes are triggered sooner or later. The result is a typical inflammation of the gums with bleeding gums. If a suitable therapy is neglected, the disease process can also spread to other structures of the tooth support apparatus and cause lasting damage to the jawbone. There is a risk of losing otherwise perfectly healthy teeth.

Read more on the topic: Causes of Bleeding Gums

HIV-positive suffer significantly more often from inflammation of the gums and the gums that support the teeth than HIV-negative ones. It follows that in the course of an infection with the HI virus, the risk of bleeding gums increases considerably.

This fact can be explained by the fact that people with HIV usually suffer from a general immune deficiency (Immunodeficiency) and are therefore more prone to diseases within the oral cavity. In addition, the course of tooth and tooth supporting structures in HIV patients is much faster and more aggressive.

In addition to the typical bleeding gums, inflammation of the gums (lat. Gingivivitis) due to severe redness, swelling and increasing sensitivity to pain. Dental hygiene in particular can be quite painful when touching the gingiva. Thorough and regular oral hygiene is particularly important for patients infected with HIV.

Teeth should be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste at least three times a day. In addition, time should be invested in interdental care once a day. Dental floss or interdental brushes (so-called Interdental brushes) are particularly suitable. In patients with very narrow interdental spaces, using dental floss is quite easy.

However, since this cannot optimally clean additional spaces between the teeth (e.g. in the course of receding gums), an interdental brush should be used in these cases.

Can HIV be transmitted through bleeding gums, for example through kissing?

The dangerous HI virus is transmitted by smear infection through secretions such as blood, semen or vaginal secretions. The fear of the outbreak of the disease and the high risk of infection often raises the question of whether HIV can already be transmitted through kissing. Those affected also wonder whether inflammation of the gums and bleeding within the oral cavity represent or even increase a risk of transmission.

It is important to know that only a certain amount of these secretions is able to cause transmission. In the case of bleeding gums caused by brushing your teeth or flossing, the amount of blood leaking is insufficient to be potentially dangerous.

The wounds caused by the mechanical injury regenerate very quickly as the oral mucosa heals quickly. Furthermore, this blood is thinned with the saliva produced in the mouth, which is not one of the secretions of transmission, and thus the saliva minimizes the virulence of the HIV virus through the dilution. In addition, the saliva contains enzymes and proteins that can render the virus virtually harmless.

Therefore, not only a simple kiss is considered safe, a French kiss is also completely safe, since the amount of blood is simply not sufficient to achieve a transmission of the dangerous virus. Inflammation of the gums and bleeding within the oral cavity are also not a risk when kissing. Therefore, bleeding gums do not change the principle of the German Aids Aid and it is still true that kissing is absolutely safe.