Periodontal Disease, Herpes & Epstein Barr Virus

Periodontitis in the gums can be a source for harboring Herpes and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the saliva.  Periodontal treatment has been shown to decrease the amount of herpes & EBV virus in saliva and may help to diminish transmission from one close person to another person.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), causes infectious mononucleosis and oral hairy leukoplakia, and is associated with various lymphoid and skin cancers. The Virus lives and gets transferred through the saliva, which is why it is called “the kissing disease”. Recent studies have shown that EBV is found in 60-70% of periodontal pockets in people with Aggressive Periodontal disease and 15-20% of sites in people with severe Gingivitis.