STDs and Oral Health: How Syphilis and Herpes Affect Your Mouth and Teeth

Sexually transmitted infections can manifest orally, impacting teeth, gums, and mucosa.

Syphilis

• Primary: Painless chancre on lips, tongue, palate (highly infectious).
• Secondary: Mucous patches (gray-white lesions), "snail-track" ulcers, glossitis.
• Tertiary: Gummas (destructive granulomas) on palate/tongue; can cause tooth loss, bone destruction.
• All stages: Increased risk of periodontal disease.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1)

• Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis: painful vesicles/ulcers on gums, palate, tongue; fever, malaise.
• Recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) can spread to gingiva (herpes labialis).
• Immunocompromised: severe, prolonged, atypical presentations.

Other STIs With Oral Manifestations

• Gonorrhea: Pharyngitis (often asymptomatic); can disseminate.
• HPV: Oral warts; high-risk types linked to oropharyngeal cancer.
• HIV: Oral candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi sarcoma, severe periodontitis.

Action Steps

• Regular dental exams—dentists often spot oral STI signs first.
• If you notice oral lesions, see a dentist/doctor promptly for testing.
• Treat the underlying STI; dental care manages oral complications.
• Use barriers (condoms, dental dams) for oral sex to reduce transmission.