Our mouth is constantly exposed to bacteria, so it may be more frequent than we imagine to suffer from an infection related to them. Today, at Clínica Dental Bajo we want to talk about oral candidiasis, a fairly common infection in people with a weak immune system.
Oral candidiasis is caused by a fungus called candida which is always present in our mouth, although it does not spread thanks to the control of the immune system and the rest of the bacteria that we have in the mouth. It is when one of these factors weakens that oral candidiasis appears since the fungus spreads more than it should.
What are the causes of oral thrush?
As we say, the state of the immune system is key to this infection, so babies or older adults may get it more frequently. There are other causes besides age, such as suffering from a disease that affects the immune system (HIV or AIDS) or taking a medication that alters it, such as chemotherapy, certain antibiotics, etc.
Diagnosis of oral thrush
The main symptom of this infection is the appearance of our mouth, since it takes on a certain white color with red tissue underneath that could bleed easily. The sensation is usually dry. To diagnose it, a scraping culture of the lesions can be done.
When looking at the tongue and mouth, you can see velvety and whitish lesions in the mouth and on the tongue. Underneath this whitish material is reddened tissue that can bleed easily. It usually gives a very dry mouthfeel.
Depending on the degree of infection, treatment should be applied or not. For example, when it appears in babies it is not usually necessary since after a couple of weeks it ends up remitting. Otherwise, antifungals, such as nystatin oral solution, are used.
As we always say, the important thing is to go to a specialist who can give us a good diagnosis in order to remit this or any other infection as soon as possible. At Clínica Dental Bajo we are committed to the health of your mouth.
Diagnosis and Oral Medicine in Los Cristianos: Regain the balance of your mouth
Attempting to scrape off white plaques or applying over-the-counter home remedies can severely irritate the mucous membranes and spread the fungal infection throughout the oral cavity. To eliminate candidiasis definitively, it is essential that a dentist identifies the exact cause of the outbreak – whether it is a mismatch in your prosthesis or a lowering of defenses – and prescribes the appropriate treatment. At Clínica Bajo we evaluate the health of your mucous membranes with the utmost delicacy. We invite you to request a consultation with our general dentistry team in Los Cristianos to disinfect your mouth, restore comfort to your smile and prevent the infection from reappearing. Make your appointment today!
