Yeast infection in the mouth can be caused by different agents, leading to different diseases, including oral candidiasis . These diseases are very rare and generally begin by infecting the lung, which is where they enter the system, with the exception of candidiasis. Undoubtedly the presence of fungus in the mouth is not aesthetic and causes a feeling of lack of hygiene, but it can also be very painful when eating food or even speaking. That is why at FastlyHealwe will talk to you in detail about everything you need to know about fungus in the mouth: symptoms, causes and treatment .
Table of Contents
Symptoms of fungus in the mouth
In most cases of fungus in the mouth there are no symptoms, and it is not until the disease is advanced when we can observe some manifestations in the cavity, among them the following stand out:
- Pain in the mouth
- Pain when swallowing or speaking. Because of this it can cause malnutrition or dehydration.
- Possible bleeding after brushing teeth or scraping lesions.
- Inflammation of the gums .
- Presence of whitish plaques on the buccal mucosa and tongue, which in more developed cases, can join in a membrane. If you remove them you will leave a bleeding surface. This symptom is observed in pseudomembranous candidiasis and in plaque or hyperplastic candidiasis, but the latter cannot be scraped off and could be confused with hairy leukoplakia caused by another microorganism.
- Intense red lesions, without the presence of plaques. They can be located anywhere in the oral cavity and produce a lot of pain or itching sensation . It is seen in erythematous or atrophic candidiasis.
- There may be cracks in the corners of the mouth or slightly over-elevated white or reddish nodules. They are painful and is typical of angular cheilitis candidiasis.
Causes of fungus in the mouth
There are several factors that promote the increase of oral fungi, since by altering the normal state of the body they provide the appropriate conditions for its development. The main causes of fungus in the mouth are:
- Reduction of defenses due to immunodeficiency. It is the most common cause for the appearance of oral fungus. Infections produced, for example, by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus . It is frequent to observe cases of oral candidiasis among patients with AIDS, almost in all of them.
- Having diabetes, as increased blood sugar is also found in saliva and works as a food for candida .
- Antimicrobial treatments.
- In newborns, the oral flora is not fully developed and the pH of saliva can be low.
- Dysfunction of the salivary glands, salivary secretion is reduced and causes dryness in the mouth , which reduces the production of antifungal substances typical of saliva, such as histatins.
- Malnutrition : when there are low levels of elements important for the proper functioning of the body, such as iron , folates or vitamin A or B12.
- Corticosteroid consumption. They can alter the immune system. Including some inhalers for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .
- Removable dental devices, such as dentures , which tend to accumulate strains of candida due to poor hygiene.
- Alcoholism.
- Smoking constantly.
- Cancer treatments, mainly chemotherapy, head and neck radiation.
- Endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism , and hormonal changes during pregnancy favor the appearance of oral fungus.
- Constant swelling of the tongue.
- Hypertrophy of the papillae of the tongue or hairy black tongue.
Treatment for fungus in the mouth
It is extremely important that in the event of any discomfort or sign of fungus in the mouth you go to your GP, who will diagnose you and give you the most appropriate treatment depending on your condition.
Methods to combat fungus in the mouth may include topical or systemic medications , depending on the severity of the infection. A moderate oral candidiasis can be eliminated in a week if it responds well to the treatment, while in more severe cases it lasts up to 3 weeks or more.
One of the medications is Nystatin, which comes in various forms. If it is an oral tablet, you should take one or two, letting them dissolve slowly for 20 to 30 minutes in the mouth, five times a day. The mouthwash and cream presentations are just as effective against yeast infection. The oral suspension, due to its non-reabsorption properties, can be prescribed to pregnant women or during lactation.
On the other hand, there are antifungals that are contraindicated if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver problems or porphyria, have had an allergic reaction, are taking other medications, herbs or supplements, and in babies under 6 months of age. There are some medications of this type that can be very strong and are generally used, in patients where the infection has become resistant, it is necessary that the medication be supervised by a specialist.
By continually using these antifungals, you could develop tooth decay as a reaction to the fermentable carbohydrates they present. To prevent this condition, it is recommended to perform mouthwashes with fluoride without alcohol for 2 to 3 minutes.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Mouth Fungi: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment , we recommend that you enter our Teeth and Mouth category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.