Do you know what the oral candidiasisThis disease is caused by a fungus and can affect people of all ages. For this reason, it's important to know how to detect it—and to recognize its symptoms—in order to apply the appropriate treatment. Below, we explain the Causes of the appearance of candidiasis and how it manifests itself.
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What is oral candidiasis?
Oral candidiasis is a disease caused by proliferation of a fungus called Candida albicans. When this fungus acts on the mucous membrane of the mouth, a whole series of visible pains and symptoms that cause discomfort at the oral level.
While oral candidiasis is a disease that anyone can develop, certain age groups are more susceptible. This is the case for... babies and toddlers, as well as adults who suffer from some type of problem in their immune system, For example, diabetes. In milder cases, a good dental hygiene routine—including brushing and flossing—may be more than enough to recover from the disease.
Oral candidiasis and HIV
There is a bidirectional relationship between HIV and oral candidiasis. First, as we mentioned earlier, people with weakened immune systems—such as those with HIV—are more likely to develop it. Secondly, it's important to note that candidiasis can be one of the first signs that indicate the presence of HIV, although this fungal infection can be due to many other causes. For this reason, it is very important to consult with a dental professional to determine the cause of the disease.
What are the symptoms of oral candidiasis?
In its initial phase, oral candidiasis may not present any obvious symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, several signs may appear:
- Appearance of lesions in the form of whitish spots on the tongue. They can also appear on the inner cheeks, gums, palate, or even tonsils.
- Feeling of burning and inflammation, which can be bothersome enough to make it difficult to eat and swallow food.
- Loss of taste.
- Appearance of cracks and/or redness at the corners of the mouth.
- Bleeding at the slightest contact or rubbing of the lesions.
There are other symptoms of oral candidiasis that appear when other serious illnesses are present, such as cancer. In these cases, it is common for the candidiasis to spread through the digestive system, appearing in the esophagus or even in the back of the stomach.
Oral candidiasis and breastfeeding
When babies suffer from oral thrush, it is very common that infect the mother through breastfeeding. To detect if an infection has occurred during breastfeeding, the mother can observe if her breasts present any of these symptoms:
- Sharp pain in the breasts.
- Discomfort during breastfeeding or even during the intervals between doses.
- Reddened nipples, more sensitive than normal and even cracked.
- A brighter, scaly-looking halo.
If you suspect you may have oral thrush, your first step should be to go to Asistencia Dental Plus, your Dental clinic in Valencia. The professionals at our clinic will offer you a diagnosis and treatment to cure the infection. We will also provide advice if we suspect the condition may be a symptom of another underlying pathology. To learn more about any of our dental treatments, simply contact us through the following link or make an appointment by calling 963 16 26 56
