HPV In Mouth: Symptoms, Preventions, Diagnosis and Treatments

 


Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a common viral condition that nearly everyone encounters at some point in their life. With over 100 types of viruses, HPV is mainly spread through sexual contact and is categorized into two types: low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV.

Low-risk HPV infections cause warts (skin growths) on different parts of the body, while high-risk HPV infections can lead to cell changes and potentially cancer. Most HPV strains are harmless and do not cause cancer.

Research indicates that about 40% of HPV strains affect the mouth and throat, known as Oropharyngeal Human Papillomavirus, a subtype of HPV. This can result in oral lesions, warts on the tongue, and high-risk infections leading to oral cancer. One particularly dangerous strain is HPV-16.

How Do You Get HPV?

Beyond sexual transmission, HPV can enter the body through the mouth or through cuts and wounds in the skin. Men are generally more susceptible to oral HPV infections than women. Several factors can increase the risk of HPV infections, including:

  • Open mouth kissing
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Age

What Are the Oral HPV Symptoms?

Oral HPV is often asymptomatic, meaning it shows no signs in most cases. When it does affect the mouth, it can cause warts on the tongue and throat that resemble white, cauliflower-shaped growths. However, these are less common.

If the infection persists and causes cell damage, it can lead to cancer in the throat, tongue, pharynx walls, and tonsils. Symptoms of such cancerous cell development include:

  • Persistent sore throat
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Coughing up blood
  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing

How Do Dentists Diagnose Oral HPV Infections?

There are currently no FDA-approved tests to detect HPV infections in the oral cavity. However, dentists can identify if lesions are due to HPV through cancer screenings. An oral biopsy is performed to check if lesions are cancerous, and if so, the biopsy samples are tested for HPV.

How to Treat Oral HPV?

In most cases, oral HPV infections resolve on their own without treatment.

HPV-positive patients may develop warts on their tongues, which, while harmless, can be bothersome. These warts are difficult to treat with medication, but surgical procedures like cryotherapy and electrosurgery can remove them effectively.

For high-risk HPV infections that compromise the immune system and lead to oral cancer, treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. An oral surgeon will recommend the best course of action based on the stage of infection and cancer location.

How to Prevent Oral HPV?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent new HPV infections, but it does not cure existing ones. By age 30, most people have been exposed to various HPV strains. To prevent HPV's harmful effects on physical and dental health, follow these precautions:

  • Use dental dams during oral sex
  • Practice safe sex, including using protection and limiting the number of sexual partners
  • Get bi-annual dental checkups

Takeaway

Since oral HPV infections are often asymptomatic, regular dental checkups are crucial. Do not ignore any warts or lesions in your mouth that persist for months, as they could be warning signs of HPV infection and potential oral cancer. For more information on how HPV infections impact dental health, the dentists at Surya Dental Care are available to assist you. Feel free to get in touch with us.

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