Mouth Problems Caused by HIV

The mouth is the first part of the body to be affected when a person contracts HIV. Since the infection weakens the immune system, the body is more susceptible to infection. For the mouth this can cause pain and tooth loss. People with HIV may also experience the following issues in the mouth: dry mouth, thrush, white lesions on the sides of the tongue, gingivitis, outbreaks of herpes simplex virus, canker sores, or mouth ulcers. Mouth problems related to HIV can be painful and could affect chewing and swallowing. As a result, the digestive system may not be able to properly absorb HIV drug treatment. If you have mouth problems related to HIV, please talk to your doctor about what treatment for pain relief is best for you.