Abstract

The main characteristic of a patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the ineffectiveness of the individual's immune system. The high degree of immunological weakness in which these patients are found has a high impact on their quality of life and can be seen clinically in the oral cavity. Because of this, the present study sought to evidence the most frequent oral manifestations of the AIDS disease. It has been demonstrated in this literature review that there is no specific oral manifestation of AIDS, but rather opportunistic lesions that are related to a deficient immune system. Such lesions may be of bacterial, viral, fungal origin, neoplastic processes and lesions of unknown etiology, as well as periodontal manifestations, which may be aggravated by the use of tobacco, alcohol, antidepressants and inadequate oral hygiene. It was also presented the ineffectiveness of saliva as a form of contagion and the importance of good oral hygiene for regression and control of some lesions. For this reason, it is important to note the importance of the dentist to correct the clinical diagnosis of such lesions so that it is possible to refer the patient to an infectologist in order to perform immunological tests that confirm their diagnosis and allow the correct follow-up and treatment . Only treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) does not provide full recovery of the epithelial cells of the oral cavity; therefore, the rapid initial implementation of antiretroviral therapy combined with constant patient visits to the dentist, for correct plaque control and adequate oral hygiene, avoids the appearance of certain lesions and helps in the regression of others.

Keywords: HIV Infections; AIDS; Mouth; Oral medicine; Saliva