AIDS and the mouth
The mouth is the first area where the AIDS virus presents striking signs. Some of the conditions exclusively associated with AIDS are as follows:
 Oral Hairy Leukoplakia
This condition is exclusively AIDS-related, and is a 100 per cent sure sign that the individual has begun to develop the full-blown version of the disease. Typically, Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (OHL) occurs on the lateral borders or on the sides of the tongue. It is a white lesion without any borders that cannot be rubbed off even by vigorous efforts. OHL can also occur on the palate, the cheeks, or the lips, but such instances are very rare. It is estimated that an individual who has this condition will develop full-blown AIDS within 31 months after the condition first arises.Â
Oral Candidiasis
Candida is a fungus that forms a normal part of the oral flora. The diminished resistance and the reduced overall immunity in AIDS trigger its proliferation to high levels to cause Candidiasis, a fungal infection in the oral cavity. This condition is present in 90 percent of AIDS cases. The infection can occur either on the hard or the soft palate, or the tongue. Sometimes it also occurs at the corners of the lips leading to crusting of the area. On very rare occasions, it can occur on the cheeks.
Kaposi's Sarcoma
Kaposi's Sarcoma is a malignant tumor that occurs most often on the palate and on the gums. It is again a diagnostic feature of AIDS. It occurs almost exclusively in homosexual males, and the male: female ratio is 20:1. The condition is usually painless and takes on a brownish or a purple hue after sometime. Most often Kaposi's sarcoma is present only in the mouth.
Oral Pigmentation
In most cases of AIDS, there is increased pigmentation in the oral cavity. The areas affected in succession are the gums, the tongue and the palate. Most often drugs like ketoconazole and zidovudine are responsible for this condition. The pigmentation is usually brownish-black in color.
Gum Disease
It is natural to expect that any condition that lowers host immunity to affect the gums. So also is the case with AIDS. Both Gingivitis- of the gums, and Periodontitis-inflammation of the tooth-supporting tissues, is a manifestation of AIDS. The inflammation of the gums appear inflamed in a straight line. The inflammation of the tooth-supporting tissues varies widely and could range from a simple inflammation to a complex one, involving loss of a number of teeth. Both conditions are very painful and traumatic.
