**Oral warts** is a common sexually transmitted disease transmitted by the HPV virus. This problem can not only cause pain and discomfort when talking, eating or swallowing food, but also brings risks such as inflammation, secondary infections and virus transmission to others. In addition, oral warts may have negative psychological effects on a person and their inappropriate appearance can cause anxiety and shame. In rare cases, some types of HPV can be associated with oral and throat cancers. If you want to know how to prevent oral warts and what are the best treatment methods, don't miss the rest of the article! What is an oral wart? Oral wart, also known as oral papilloma, is a benign lesion in the mouth caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). These lesions appear in the form of small, white or pink bumps and may be seen in different parts including the tongue, gums, palate and lips. In most cases, oral warts are not painful, but depending on their location and size, they can cause discomfort when eating or talking. Symptoms of oral warts Oral HPV infection usually has no symptoms and most people infected with this virus do not experience any symptoms. In this situation, the body's immune system is able to eliminate the virus naturally. But in some people, this virus can cause symptoms. Possible symptoms of this viral oral lesion include the following: - Wart or bump - Color change in oral tissues such as white or red spots. - Discomfort or pain when swallowing. - Constant earache without a clear reason. - Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck. - Swelling or mass in the neck or cheek area. - Unexplained weight loss. - Other symptoms: coughing up blood, pain or swelling of the jaw and voice change (hoarseness). Diagnosis of oral warts Diagnosis of this oral lesion is usually done through a clinical examination by a doctor or dentist. During the examination, the doctor looks for small, soft, white or fleshy bumps in the mouth and throat areas. These lesions may appear individually or in groups. It is emphasized that for a definitive diagnosis, it is necessary to visit a doctor and perform specialized examinations, because if you look for symptoms yourself at home, you may mistake some types of mouth sores with oral warts. According to healthline, to diagnose oral warts, if a lesion is observed, the doctor will take a biopsy sample to make sure that this lesion is cancerous or not. The doctor also tests the sample for HPV infection. You can see an example of **mild oral wart photo** in the following images: Risk factors of oral warts - Direct contact with the HPV virus - Smoking and alcohol consumption - Defects in the body's immune system - History of oral warts or diseases related to HPV virus in the family - Oral sex - Increasing age oral wart treatment methods ### Cryotherapy (freezing) Cryotherapy involves the use of liquid nitrogen or argon gas to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. In this method, the cells cannot withstand extreme cold and die after treatment. Frozen skin may blister and peel off to allow new, healthy skin to grow. The advantages of cryotherapy include its speed and minimal invasiveness. This method is usually performed without open surgery and has a quick recovery and little pain. For this reason, it is suitable for removing warts. Its disadvantages include the possibility of being painful and causing scars. ### Surgery Surgery involves the physical removal of the wart with a surgical instrument. In this method, the roots of the wart are completely removed. The main advantage of surgery is the complete removal of warts. Surgery is an invasive procedure and requires anesthesia. Also, scarring may remain and there is no guarantee that the wart will not reappear. There is a risk of infection or scarring, and side effects include pain and blistering. ### laser therapy Laser therapy involves the use of a laser to remove warts. In this method, with the help of high-power laser rays, the appendages are completely destroyed. Laser treatment is accurate and effective and does not damage the tissue around the wart. The cost of laser therapy is high and requires specialized equipment. ### chemical solutions In this method, solutions such as trichloroacetic acid are used to destroy warts. Chemical solutions are simple and cheap. Of course, there is the possibility of irritation and damage to healthy tissue. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe **pills for oral warts** and its treatment. ### Electro cautery Electrocautery or electrocautery involves the use of electric current to burn the wart. This method is effective and controllable, but there is a possibility of pain and scarring. home treatment for oral warts Home remedies for oral warts may help reduce symptoms, but note that these methods are not a substitute for medical treatment and do not have strong scientific backing. Be sure to consult a doctor before using these methods. ### Apple Vinegar Apple cider vinegar can be effective in reducing warts, however, its use in the mouth should be done with caution, as the acidity of the vinegar may damage the oral tissues. ### baking soda Baking soda is known as a natural exfoliator that can help break down dead skin cells and has antiseptic properties. Rinsing your mouth with a baking soda solution may reduce inflammation, but it has no effect on the HPV virus. ### Garlic Because of its anti-viral properties, garlic can help relieve this viral oral lesion. Some people apply crushed garlic directly on the wart to use its anti-viral properties. But due to the strong smell of garlic and the possibility of causing irritation in the oral tissues, this method may not be convenient and usable for all people. ### basil and coriander Placing chopped basil and coriander leaves on warts may help reduce inflammation. Prevention of oral warts - HPV vaccine injection (Gardasil) to reduce the possibility of contracting the virus - Using a condom and dental tail (mouth guard) in oral sex to reduce the risk of transmission - Have safe sex - Conducting related tests and screenings from the age of sexual intercourse - Regular visits to the dentist every six months for early diagnosis - Maintaining oral and dental hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing. (Maintaining oral and dental hygiene can reduce the risk of contracting this disease.) - Strengthening the immune system - Quit smoking - Avoiding oral sex when there is a wound or cut in the mouth Questions and answers about oral warts In the following, we will answer your frequently asked questions about oral warts. ### After how long does oral wart appear? Oral warts usually appear 3 to 6 months after being infected with the HPV virus, but in some people it may last from a few days to a few years. The most common time for warts to appear is 2 to 3 months after infection. This time depends on the type of virus and the state of the person's immune system. ### Is it possible to treat oral warts at home? Some home remedies such as apple cider vinegar or garlic may help heal oral warts, but these methods are not completely scientific and doctor-approved and may cause irritation or inflammation. ### Are oral warts painful? Oral warts are usually painless, but if they grow large or are in sensitive areas of the mouth, they may cause discomfort when eating or talking. ### Does the appearance of warts in the mouth cause cancer? Most oral warts are harmless and do not cause oral cancer, but some types of HPV can increase the risk of mouth and throat cancer. If you see warts or abnormal changes in the mouth, it is better to consult a doctor. ### What are the ways of transmission of oral warts? Oral warts are transmitted through direct contact with warts, oral sex, saliva, direct touch, and the use of shared objects such as toothbrushes. In this text, we examined **oral warts**, its causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. If you experience symptoms like warts in your mouth, the best thing to do is to see a specialist. Early diagnosis and prevention of complications are effective in treatment. If you have more questions, leave us a comment, our experts will answer you as soon as possible.