The weak immune system can be identified from the mouth since there are different HIV teeth and mouth symptoms that are commonly experienced. In the past when little information was available about HIV, dentists were among the first to identify the weakening immune system of the patients on the dental chair.
Different symptoms are experienced by HIV patients which aren’t common with the healthy people making them very easy to identify. Most of the HIV teeth and mouth infections or problems are rare or never show up on those patients who are under medication. There is a high relationship between the HIV status and the teeth condition hence frequent dental checks are encouraged to manage such conditions. Those who have never tested for HIV can learn about their condition from the dentist following the existence of the following symptoms in the teeth or mouth.
1.Pain and bleeding around the teeth: HIV patients are very vulnerable to conditions such as pain and bleeding around the teeth. Apart from the irritation and the discomfort that it may cause, it can limit you from eating normally or taking medication. Such conditions may also cause other related health problems that may worsen the HIV condition of the patient.
2.Tooth decay and dry mouth: Even though tooth decay and dry mouth aren’t an automatic indicator of HIV, they are very common symptoms that affect the teeth condition of HIV patients. Dry mouth can be as a result of the inability of the mouth to produce enough saliva in order to support smooth swallowing and protect the teeth from decay.
3.Tooth loss: Due to the high interrelated conditions that come as a result of HIV infection, tooth loss is easily experienced. Since the immune system has been weakened, advanced stages of HIV can totally weaken the dental structure making it impossible for the jaw to sustain and hold them.
Dentists shouldn’t keep off the HIV patients from the valuable dental services since these form a larger part of their support. In addition to the frequent visit to the dentist, always practice home-based dental hygiene such as flossing and brushing.