Oral health and STIs

Oral health plays an important role in our overall health system. Our mouth consists of more bacteria than the total population of the world. This means we must take care of how we maintain our dental hygiene.

Some of the very common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can easily be transferred through sexual acts which includes the use of mouth, lips or tongue. The only way to prevent it is by using genital or dental condom.

STIs which can be transmitted orally

Herpes, it is one of the most common STIs found today. It is transferred when the infected tissue (open) comes in direct contact with a fresh tissue. Herpes causes oral blisters which can be painful when they burst. It can also cause fever or fatigue in some cases.

Syphilis, it is a type of bacterial infection. Sores are formed on the mouth, lips, around genital region, the anus and the rectum. It is transmitted when an infected person comes in direct contact with the person not carrying it. Skin sores which are painless, firm and non-itchy in nature, tend to form on the tissues of the mouth or on the region where the genitals are. In later stages people carrying them may experience mouth rashes as seen on the palms or the sole of the feet.

Gonorrhoea, it can be transmitted orally. It can affect the throat, the genitals, the rectum and the urinary tract. Often this infection does not show any symptoms on the person carrying it. The people who do have symptoms, experience sore throat maybe a week after the exposure.

Chlamydia, this infection is produced by the bacteria termed chlamydia trachomatis. It can affect the throat, the genitals, the urinary tract and the rectum. This infection can be cured by right antibiotics.

Tips on maintaining oral hygiene when it comes to STI prevention

·       Avoid oral sex, it does carry a lot of risks of not just oral STIs but also other infections and diseases such as Hepatitis A, HIV, Shigellosis, HPV, etc.

·       Use dental condoms, there are many companies offering such a product. It is never a bad idea to explore and improve your health.

·       Brush every day. Try using a brush with soft bristles and go easy on your teeth and the gums.

·       Massage your gums every day.

·       Floss your teeth.

Make sure to meet your dentist in Brampton every 6 months. This helps in keeping your mouth clean and free from any dental issues. This also helps avoid tooth decay, root canals or dental fillings. It is also a good habit to get them cleaned professionally by your dentist.