Definition – What is meant by yeast fungus in the mouth?
Yeast fungus in the mouth is in almost all cases the yeast fungus candida albicans. Even in normal cases the yeast fungus can occur in the mouth in a certain concentration. The excessive colonization of the oral mucosa, also called candidiasis, is a complication.
In addition to the oral mucosa, other mucous membranes, such as the intestinal or vaginal mucosa, can also be affected by candidiasis. Candidoses are considered opportunistic diseases. By definition, they only occur when the body’s own defence system is weakened, so that the fungus can spread. At this point, it is recommended that you first obtain general information on the subject of candidosis.
Causes for yeast fungus in the mouth
Up to 25% of the population are carriers of a Candida albicans yeast fungus in the body. Normally, however, it is kept in check by the body’s own bacteria and the physical immune system, so that it cannot spread and does not cause any symptoms or problems. However, a prolonged intake of antibiotics can lead to the killing of not only the disease-causing bacteria but also the body’s own “good” bacteria, which means that the yeast fungus can now spread and, for example, attack the oral mucosa.
Even an immunosuppressive therapy, in which patients have to take cortisone preparations, can lead to the flare-up of a fungal infection. Cortisone suppresses the body’s own immune system so that it is unable to fight the fungal infection. It goes without saying that even people with a congenital immune deficiency are at high risk of contracting candidiasis because their immune system is not fully developed or defective since birth. Immunosuppressive drugs also have other serious consequences due to the suppression of the immune system. Learn more about this under: Effect and consequences of immunosuppressives
By which symptoms can I recognize that I have yeast fungi in my mouth?
Often the discovery of a fungal infection of the oral mucosa is a chance finding, which is noticed either by the parents, the partner or the dentist. Pain in the oral mucosa is one of the classic symptoms, but it only occurs in about 50% of those affected. In some cases, however, they can become so severe that drinking and eating is stopped.
The other 50%, however, are completely free of complaints. As already mentioned above, when the oral cavity is examined, grey-white to yellowish, mostly punctiform plaques appear, which can be distributed throughout the entire mouth area. They cannot be removed with a cotton swab, but usually have to be removed. The fungal infection is usually preceded by antibiotic treatment or the use of drugs that suppress the immune system. However, the presence of diabetes can also be a possibility why patients become infected with a yeast fungus.
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