Mouth fungus: symptoms, causes and treatment

A relatively frequent health problem that not only appears due to lack of hygiene.

Talking, singing, eating, laughing, kissing... our mouth is one of the most versatile and useful parts of our body, which we use in many different ways in order to adapt to our environment. It is a highly innervated area of the body over which we have a great deal of control.

And yet, it is also a very delicate part of our body that is often in contact with bacteria and elements from both the inside (such as intestinal flora) and the outside. Sometimes it is possible that we may suffer from some kind of infection or problem, being one of the possible causes the appearance of fungus in the mouth..

Throughout this article we will observe what are the main symptoms that warn us of the presence of a possible oral fungal infection, some of its possible causes and how they can be treated.

Mouth fungus: what are they?

We speak of fungal infections or mycosis when we are referring to the existence of a series of symptoms derived from the presence of different species of fungi in our body. These infections can occur in any part of the body, such as the skin or the genital apparatus, and in the case we are dealing with in this article also in one of the most exposed openings of the body and in contact with external elements or with microbes dedicated to or with microbes involved in food processing: the mouth.

There are many fungi that can reach our organism, and among them many have the capacity to cause infections. Some of the best known and most common oral fungi are the fungi Candida albicans and Candida tropicaliswhich can cause oral candidiasis. Other examples are Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (found in Latin America and which penetrates the body by inhaling its spores when breathing) or Cryptococcus neoformans.

Symptoms

Fungal infection in the mouth is usually asymptomatic at first, i.e., at first the person may have no symptoms.This means that at first the affected person may not perceive any alteration or discomfort. However, as these fungi grow and multiply, they can cause different types of discomfort and lesions.

Among these lesions and alterations inflammation and/or bleeding of the gums and/or tongue, sore mouth or throat are common.The appearance of white plaques (which are removed by scraping and leave behind bleeding lesions) or reddish or bleeding lesions, painful cracks and canker sores on the tongue or lips, and bad breath. They are not usually dangerous, but caution should be exercised because in some cases they can lead to serious complications and infections and inflammation in various organs.

How do they get there? Risk factors for their appearance

The appearance of fungi in the mouth does not have a single, clear cause, but can be caused and influenced by a wide variety of factors. In general, if this is possible, it is because there are sufficient conditions in the subject's mouth for fungi to be able to grow. This does not necessarily imply a lack of hygieneThe fungus can also be caused by different diseases or even by our lifestyle and diet, which facilitate the existence of the necessary elements for the survival of the fungus.

There are multiple factors that facilitate infection. Among them we can find the presence of diabetes (in which there is also a higher concentration of sugars in saliva, something that serves as food) or anemia, in addition to congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (since the lack of nutrients such as vitamins and / or immune system defenses facilitates the survival of the fungus).

In addition, too much intake or excess intake or over-consumption of certain foods also favors the also favors the birth and reproduction of fungi. Endocrine and hormonal disorders or alterations may also be factors that influence their appearance or maintenance. Finally, the consumption of substances, whether adulterated or not, greatly contributes to their appearance, especially in the case of tobacco or alcohol.

The lack of dental hygiene or the existence of prostheses or areas that are difficult to access when cleaning the mouth also increases the probability of suffering from them. Some diseases such as leukemia or other infections can also favor them, due to the existence of a lower response of the immune system.

Likewise, some drugs can also promote oral mycosis, such as some Antibiotics or corticosteroids.Some drugs, such as antibiotics or corticosteroids (including some vaporized or aspirated ones) can also lead to oral mycosis. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment can also reduce the defenses.

In addition, it should be taken into account that there are vital periods of greater vulnerability, among which the first moments after birth, early childhood, old age or pregnancy stand out. In general, changes generated at the hormonal level or the lowering of defenses or substances capable of fighting or slowing down the fungus are considerable risk factors.

Treatment

Treating the presence of fungus in the mouth is going to require a specific approach depending on the fungus and the presence of other factors such as possible comorbid diseases. However, at a general level, the following can be used antifungal or antifungal medications can be used.which can act by slowing their growth or directly killing them.

Some of these drugs may be nystatin (one of the most commonly used, especially in thrush) or cyclopyroxolamine. Systemic treatments such as ketoconazole can also be applied (although the latter, depending on the quantities, can be hepatotoxic). However, it should be borne in mind that these drugs must be prescribed by a physician and that some cannot be taken and that some cannot be taken by pregnant women or people with certain basic health problems, for example.

It is also important to take into account the need for prevention or to add to the diet foods that favor the control of oral pH, such as yogurt, or allow the acquisition of vitamins, fibers and nutrients that help to keep the body well balanced. Brushing and proper dental hygiene is also of great help. In cases where diseases such as those mentioned above exist, it should also be taken into account that it is necessary to treat them with the corresponding methods.

Bibliographic references:

• Caballero Martínez, F.; Jurado Moreno, J. and López Rocha, A. (2005). Guide of good clinical practice in fungal infections. Organización Médica Colegial de España. Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs. Spain.
• Pardi, G.H.; Mata, S.; Colella, M.T., Roselló, A. and Pineda, V. (2013). Mycoses of the oral cavity- Part I. Bibliographic Reviews. Acta Odontológica Venezolana, 51 (2).