Nearly 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases affect people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With these highly preventable diseases often come symptoms that affect your entire body – including your mouth. Not all people who are infected will go on to have symptoms. If a person with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) develops symptoms, they are then considered to have a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
While not all STDs are curable, they are treatable. Your dentist is an important part of your healthcare team. Use this guide to learn how these infections can impact your mouth.
Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis. To learn more about preventing sexually transmitted diseases, visit CDC.gov
HPV: Head and Neck Cancers
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with 14 million new cases each year. According to the CDC, there are more than 40 types of HPV that can be sexually transmitted, but most are cleared from the body by the immune system without causing any health problems.
HPV can affect the mouth and throat. Some high-risk strains, particularly HPV-16, are associated with cancers of the head and neck. Approximately 9,000 cases of HPV-related head and neck cancers are diagnosed each year. The CDC states these cancers are four times more common in men than in women.
These cancers typically develop in the throat at the base of the tongue, in the folds of the tonsils or the back of the throat, making them difficult to detect. Although people with HPV-positive cancers have a lower risk of dying or having recurrence than those with HPV-negative cancers, early diagnosis is associated with the best outcomes. Regular dental check-ups that include an examination of the entire head and neck can be vital in detecting cancer early.
HPV: Mouth Warts
Low-risk strains of HPV may cause warts or lesions in your mouth or throat. Aside from their appearance, they often have no (or very few) symptoms, are painless and non-cancerous. They can reappear from time to time, and your dentist or physician may recommend having them surgically removed.