Globally, 38.0 million people were estimated to live with HIV at the end of 2019¹. First signs of HIV infection often appear in the mouth. More than half of people living with HIV develop oral symptoms at the early stage of the disease such as fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. These can all cause pain and discomfort, dry mouth, leading to difficulty in chewing, swallowing, and tasting food, which has a significant negative impact on quality of life².

Treatment and management of HIV-related oral lesions

• HIV-related oral lesions can be used to diagnose HIV infection, monitor the disease progression, predict immune status and contribute to timely therapeutic treatment, which can considerably improve quality of life and well-being.
• Dentists and oral healthcare professionals can also ensure that patients with oral manifestations are referred for testing of HIV/AIDS and have appropriate medical follow-up.
• Early detection of HIV-related oral lesions can be used to diagnose HIV infection and monitor the disease’s progression. Early detection is also important for timely treatment.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are a growing global threat. NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability, killing 41 million people each year and are responsible for 71 per cent of all deaths globally, 85 per cent of which occur in low- and middle-income countries³. Oral diseases contribute significantly to the NCD burden with untreated dental caries being the most common health condition worldwide, affecting approximately 2.4 billion people and oral cancer ranked among the 10 most common cancers.

Poor oral health can be the result, as well as the cause, of poor general health. Many general conditions increase the risk of oral diseases, such as an increased risk of periodontal (gum) disease in patients with diabetes. Equally, poor oral health has been linked with a number of general health conditions and their management, including heart disease, respiratory diseases, and some cancers³.

Understand your risk and take action to prevent disease

• Most oral diseases share modifiable (you can take measures to change them) risk factors with the other NCDs, so taking action to protect your oral health can have a positive impact on your general health, well-being and quality of life.
• Oral health and general health can be maintained by being aware of your risk factors, which include an unhealthy diet high in sugar, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and poor oral hygiene, and taking action to prevent disease.
• Read How to maintain good oral health and Control your risk factors to understand how you can keep your mouth functioning correctly and protect your overall health.