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Oral candidiasis

What causes oral candidiasis?

What causes oral candidiasis?

Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a yeast/fungi infection of the genus Candida that develops on the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is most commonly caused by the fungus Candida albicans, but may also be caused by Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis.

Oral candidiasis

Oral candidiasis, or oral thrush, is a fungal disease that appears as white patches in the oral cavity.

The fungus can cause discomfort even pain, and if the infection is scratched, it can bleed.

This disorder is easily treated in healthy people, but treatment can be difficult in people with other diseases.

Oral thrush can pass from the baby’s mouth   to the breast of a nursing mother, causing sensitivity, pain, and redness in the nipples and breasts.

Symptoms of oral candidiasis

In the first stage, no signs may appear, but in a more advanced stage, the following signs and symptoms often appear:

  • White areas in the oral cavity in one of the distinctive places, such as: the surface of the tongue, the inner part of the cheeks, the gums, the upper palate, the pharynx, and the surface of the tonsils.
  • The affected area looks like cottage cheese.
  • pain.
  • Mild bleeding after rubbing or peeling the affected area.
  • Wounds in the corner of the mouth.
  • A feeling of cotton in the mouth.
  • Partial or complete loss of taste.
  • Difficulty swallowing and a feeling that food is stuck in the throat.

Causes and risk factors for oral candidiasis

Oral candidiasis is caused mostly by Candida albicans .

risk factors

The groups most at risk of developing oral mycosis are:

  • children.
  • People who suffer from a defect in the immune system (Immunocompromised).
  • Owners of artificial teeth.
  • People with other diseases, such as:  anemia or diabetes.
  • People being treated with medicines, such as: antibiotics or steroids.
  • Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
  • People who suffer from dry mouth.
  • smokers;

Complications of oral candidiasis

Oral mycosis does not cause any complications in healthy people, but for some people with a weak immune system, there is a fear that the fungus will spread to other areas of the body, such as: the liver, lungs, and the digestive system, causing the following complications:

  • Swallowing difficulties.
  • Obstructing the absorption of food from the intestines into the body and causing other complications related to non-absorption.

Oral candidiasis diagnosis

Oral mycosis is diagnosed by looking only, or in combination with taking a sample and examining it under a microscope.

Sometimes it may be necessary to investigate the etiology of the onset of oral mycosis, if there are no known and identifiable risk factors, in which case blood tests and a comprehensive physical examination should be performed.

If the fungus spreads to the throat and esophagus, the situation becomes more serious, and then the diagnosis must be more accurate and comprehensive, and includes:

  • Culture : It is done from the affected area to determine if the infection is really a fungal infection and to determine the type of fungus for sure.
  • Endoscope: It enables a better view of the affected areas and helps in reaching the correct diagnosis.

Oral candidiasis treatment

The treatment of oral mycosis varies according to the age of the patient, as follows:

1. Infant treatment

Treatment includes the combination of antifungals for children, but local treatment of the mother’s breast is also needed, as not treating the mother’s breast may result in the child becoming infected again after it recovers.

If the child eats with a bottle or an artificial nipple, these compounds can be soaked in a mixture of water and vinegar, then dried well and kept in a well-ventilated place, as this can prevent the possibility of fungus growing on them, and pacifiers can be sterilized in the same way.

It is preferable for the nursing mother to use fabrics that prevent the transfer of fungi to the clothes, which may cause repeated infection.

2. Treatment of healthy adults and older children

Treatment in the first stage is through home treatment using unsweetened milk, or the use of a probiotic in the form of pills or liquid.

This treatment does not eliminate the fungus, but it helps the body maintain the right balance between the organisms that live in the oral cavity, and in this way reduce the presence of the fungus there.

If these treatments don’t work, antifungal medications can be used.

3. Treating people with other diseases

Treatment is through the immediate use of antifungal drugs, and these drugs can be taken by sucking pills, or mouthwash.

In rare cases, the fungus can be immune to these drugs and amphotericin B treatment must be approved .

One of these methods of treatment can be combined with a mouth rinse with hot salt water, which can speed up the disappearance of the fungus.

Prevention of oral candidiasis

Infection can be prevented by:

  • Mouthwashing should be emphasized after using steroids.
  • It is preferable to combine a probiotic with an antibiotic pill or natural milk in order to maintain a healthy balance between germs and fungi in the body.
  • You must take care of oral hygiene by brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing once a day.
  • The brush should be changed from time to time and not shared with others.
  • It is preferable to ensure that the dentist has a periodic dental examination, especially for people who are classified among the categories of risk factors.
  • Foods that contain large amounts of sugar or yeast should be avoided.

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