Oral Health for the HIV Positive

  It goes without saying that medical  specialists are continuously researching the effects of HIV's manifestations in both men and women.  Meanwhile, both genders are feeling HIV's impact on their oral health and oral health care providers are working to meet this challenge.

  One of the most common problems associated with both HIV and the drugs used to treat it, is Xerostomia, which increases patients' risk of candidiasis and decay.  Other problems which may occur is advanced periodontal disease and rapid attachment loss of the gums. 

It is imperative that you inform your Dental Hygienist or Dentist of the medications that you are taking.  Some HIV drugs can altar the bacteria in your mouth and create other complications.  It is imperative that your physician works closely with you oral health team to ensure that your oral health needs are met!

If you would like more information on the special health needs of the HIV infected, I have listed a few related websites below:

http://sfghaids.ucsf.edu--National AIDS Treatment Information Project

http://www.thebody.com--exhaustive resources from AIDS information services

http://www.noah.cuny.edu--produced via the Gay Men's Health Crisis Center and NOAH; generic, basic information on opportunistic diseases.

http://www.aidsinfonyc.org--fairly simple fact sheets on opportunistic diseases produced by the AIDS Treatment Data Network