Whenever a person finds out they have one medical condition, they may wonder how it will affect their overall health.
People that have oral herpes will wonder how it impacts their oral health. Learning the connection between oral herpes and your oral health is the best way to prevent problems from occurring in the future.
What is Oral Herpes?
People hear that someone has herpes and they may fear even touching them. This is because they do not know much about what it is. Oral herpes is the result of a virus. The virus is transmitted through infected saliva, mucous membranes and skin. Oral herpes is very contagious, and most people will contract it at some point in their life.
Oral herpes causes cold sores and ulcers in the mouth and surrounding area. There are some people who will remain asymptomatic and will not show any signs of infection. The symptoms typically last for 2 to 3 weeks.
The Impact on Oral Health
The presence of the virus can create several problems when it comes to oral health. The sores created are often painful. They can disrupt the regular oral health routine that is so important to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. The sores can also prevent a person from following a healthy diet. This could deprive the teeth and gums of the nutrients they need for good health.
When the herpes are inside the mouth, it can cause damage to the soft tissue of the gums. This can cause the teeth and gums to separate and create gaps where bacteria can grow. This can lead to problems with gum disease.
Many people suffer from recurring bouts with the sores related to oral herpes. This can cause them to ignore the things they need to do for good oral health on a regular basis. That is why seeking treatment for the oral herpes is so important.
For more information, contact the dental professionals at our office.