Summary
Fungus in the mouth is a common fungal infection that can affect everyone from infants to adults. These infections sometimes cause significant discomfort and disrupt your daily life. It is therefore essential that you understand the symptoms , causes and treatments in order to act quickly and effectively! In this article you will find out what oral candidiasis is, how it manifests itself and what preventive measures you can take to maintain a healthy and fungus-free mouth .
What is thrush or oral candidiasis?
Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans . In babies and young children, you recognize it by the white patches in the mouth or on the tongue , and it is quite common due to their still immature immune systems.
In adults, this infection often occurs in people with weakened immunity or who use specific drug treatments.
There are several forms of oral candidiasis, ranging from classic oral thrush to more severe forms in immunocompromised people .
What causes fungus in the mouth?
The main causes of the appearance of this infection include:
- Insufficient oral hygiene ;
- A weakening of the immune system ;
- Prolonged use of antibiotics which disrupt the balance of oral flora.
Other risk factors such as diabetes, certain drug treatments (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants) or wearing poorly fitted dentures also increase the probability of developing oral candidiasis.
How do you know if you have a fungus in your mouth?
The symptoms of oral candidiasis are easily recognizable. You may notice white patches on the tongue , inside of the cheeks or palate, sometimes accompanied by redness and a burning sensation or discomfort .
In some cases, oral candidiasis causes pain when swallowing or changes in taste , signs that it is time to consult a healthcare professional.
Specific symptoms in babies, adults and breastfeeding women
In babies, oral thrush is very common. The spots can make breastfeeding difficult and cause some discomfort. Breastfeeding women may also be affected if the baby has candidiasis, with nipple pain or cracking that persists despite usual care.
As for adults whose immune systems are weakened by illness (such as people with diabetes or taking immunosuppressive treatments), oral candidiasis can be more difficult to treat.
How to diagnose oral candidiasis?
The diagnosis of oral candidiasis is mainly clinical. A doctor or dentist usually identifies it by looking at the characteristic plaques and other signs in your mouth.
In more serious cases, or when the diagnosis is not obvious, the surgeon takes a sample to confirm the presence of the fungus and to assess the type of infection.
How to treat fungus in your mouth?
There are several options available to you if you think you have developed oral thrush or an oral disease.
Drug treatments
Treatment of oral candidiasis often relies on the use of local antifungals. Depending on the severity of your infection, these medications sometimes come in the form of a gel to apply directly to the mouth, or tablets to dissolve.
These antifungals target Candida overgrowth and help restore a healthy balance in your mouth.
For more severe cases, oral treatments represent the most effective solution.
Natural and non-prescription care
Natural solutions can complement drug treatment or prevent the reappearance of oral thrush. Mouthwashes with baking soda after brushing are often recommended for their antiseptic and neutralizing action.
Probiotic yogurts help rebalance your oral and intestinal flora.
What are the recommendations for preventing oral fungus?
Oral hygiene
The prevention of oral thrush and candidiasis is mainly based on rigorous oral hygiene , with the right toothbrush. Regular tooth brushing , ideally after each meal, as well as good mouth rinsing , are essential steps to limit the proliferation of thrush and candidiasis.
Using dental floss allows you to remove food residue from between your teeth.
The sonic electric toothbrush provides more effective cleaning thanks to its vibrations which remove more plaque . Furthermore, MV type toothbrushes (micro-vibrating) are designed to reach hard-to-reach areas, guaranteeing you better dental hygiene and thus reducing the risk of oral candidiasis.
Limit antibiotics
Limit prolonged use of antibiotics, as these products sometimes disrupt the natural balance of oral flora. Finally, for people who wear dentures, the solution is to monitor them regularly and clean them carefully to avoid the accumulation of bacteria and fungi.
Integrate these good practices into your daily routine and you will significantly reduce the risk of fungal infections in your mouth.
