Oral Yeast Infection
An oral yeast infection, also called thrush
or candidiasis, can be very painful.
It is similar to vaginal yeast infections, being caused by the same
organism.
Oral yeast infection is caused when the bacteria that live in your mouth get out
of balance. You have a number of species living in your mouth at all times. One normal
mouth resident is the yeast, Candida Albicans. It is balanced out by many other species
of bacteria which compete with it for space and nutrients.
Causes of Oral Yeast Infection
But the bacteria in your mouth can get out of balance from any of
several reasons:
 | Infants, who do not yet have the full spectrum of
bacterial population in their mouths, are susceptible to this. |
| When people are poorly nourished, lacking in some
essential nutrients in their diet, they can be susceptible to oral yeast
infection. |
| With people who wear
dentures and never take them out, the environment in their mouths in
changed enough that the growth of the yeast can be fostered under the
denture. |
| People with AIDS, where their immune system is
compromised, are also susceptible to this. |
| Sometimes a gum infection can be treated with oral rinses of hydrogen
peroxide. While this kills many bacteria, if it is used for more than a two-week period,
it can cause enough of an imbalance in your mouth that the yeast will begin to take
over. |
You cannot catch this oral yeast infection from
someone else. It isn't contagious at all. The Candida Albicans that causes
it grows in everyone's mouth, and it only causes a problem when the
bacteriological balance in your mouth is disrupted.
Here is a photograph of an oral yeast infection. Notice
the white patch on the inside of the cheek. These white patches can also
be seen on the sides of the tongue. This white patch can be rubbed off,
revealing red, inflamed tissue underneath.
Treatment of Oral Yeast Infection
Treatment involves taking an
antibiotic, particularly an
anti-fungal agent, such as Nystatin, until it resolves. The cause also needs to be
addressed so that it doesn't recur, so recommendations
will be given for better nutrition, or other measures that will change the
oral environment.
|
Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis
Gum Infection
Oral Yeast Infection
Tooth Tartar
Vizilite |
