Gum bleeding as a sign of HIV infection

Introduction

Dental and oral health influences the well-being and quality of life in a special way. Diseases and changes within the oral cavity can ultimately have a significant impact on physical and mental health. In the course of an infection with the Hi-Virus (HIV) such unfavorable changes in the area of the mouth and throat can be favored.

Gum bleeding and HIV

Since the HI virus (HIV) causes typical diseases within the oral cavity in up to 80 percent of infected persons, abnormalities in this area can possibly serve as an indication of an existing infection. However, it should be pointed out that HIV infections are rare and are rarely detected by 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 persons suffer from aggressive inflammation of the gums (lat. gingivitis), which leads to bleeding gums.

The main cause of gingivitis is an irregular or simply unclean oral hygiene. Deposits on the tooth surface (plaque) can penetrate below the edge of the gums for a long time and lead to the formation of deep gum pockets. These pockets also serve as ideal habitats and breeding grounds for bacteria and other pathogens.

As a result, sooner or later inflammatory processes are triggered. A typical gingivitis with bleeding gums develops. If an appropriate therapy is neglected, the disease process can also spread to other structures of the periodontium and cause lasting damage to the jawbone.

The loss of otherwise completely healthy teeth is imminent. HIV-positive patients suffer significantly more frequently from inflammation of the gums and the periodontium than HIV-negative patients. As a result, the risk of gum bleeding increases significantly when infected with the HIV virus.

This fact is based on the fact that HIV patients usually suffer from a general immune deficiency and are therefore more susceptible to diseases within the oral cavity. In addition, the course of inflammation of the tooth and periodontium is much faster and more aggressive in HIV patients. In addition to the typical bleeding of the gums, an inflammation of the gums (lat.

gingivivitis) shows itself through strong redness, swelling and an increasing sensitivity to pain. Especially the dental hygiene can become quite painful when touching the gingiva. For patients infected with HIV, thorough and regular oral hygiene is especially important.

The teeth should be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste at least three times a day. In addition, time should be invested once a day for interdental care. Dental floss or interdental brushes (so-called interdental space brushes) are particularly suitable. For patients with very narrow interdental spaces the use of dental floss is quite simple. However, since floss cannot clean the interdental spaces optimally (for example, when the gums recede), the interdental space brush should be used in these cases.