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Candida mouth infection


Oral thrush - Symptoms and causes

Overview

Oral thrush

Oral thrush produces slightly raised, creamy white, sore patches in your mouth or on your tongue.

Oral thrush — also called oral candidiasis (kan-dih-DIE-uh-sis) — is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of your mouth. Candida is a normal organism in your mouth, but sometimes it can overgrow and cause symptoms.

Oral thrush causes creamy white lesions, usually on your tongue or inner cheeks. Sometimes oral thrush may spread to the roof of your mouth, your gums or tonsils, or the back of your throat.

Although oral thrush can affect anyone, it's more likely to occur in babies and older adults because they have reduced immunity; in other people with suppressed immune systems or certain health conditions; or people who take certain medications. Oral thrush is a minor problem if you're healthy, but if you have a weakened immune system, symptoms may be more severe and difficult to control.

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Symptoms

Children and adults

Initially, you may not even notice symptoms of oral thrush. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Creamy white lesions on your tongue, inner cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums and tonsils
  • Slightly raised lesions with a cottage cheese-like appearance
  • Redness, burning or soreness that may be severe enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing
  • Slight bleeding if the lesions are rubbed or scraped
  • Cracking and redness at the corners of your mouth
  • A cottony feeling in your mouth
  • Loss of taste
  • Redness, irritation and pain under dentures (denture stomatitis)

In severe cases, usually related to cancer or a weakened immune system from HIV/AIDS, the lesions may spread downward into your esophagus — the long, muscular tube stretching from the back of your mouth to your stomach (Candida esophagitis). If this occurs, you may experience difficulty swallowing and pain or feel as if food is getting stuck in your throat.

Infants and breast-feeding mothers

In addition to the distinctive white mouth lesions, infants may have trouble feeding or be fussy and irritable. They can pass the infection to their mothers during breast-feeding. The infection may then pass back and forth between the mother's breasts and the baby's mouth.

Women whose breasts are infected with candida may experience these signs and symptoms:

  • Unusually red, sensitive, cracked or itchy nipples
  • Shiny or flaky skin on the darker, circular area around the nipple (areola)
  • Unusual pain during nursing or painful nipples between feedings
  • Stabbing pains deep within the breast
When to see a doctor

If you or your child develops white lesions inside the mouth, see your doctor or dentist.

Thrush is uncommon in healthy older children, teenagers and adults, so if thrush develops, see your doctor to determine if further evaluation is needed to check for an underlying medical condition or other cause.

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Causes

Normally, your immune system works to repel harmful invading organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, while maintaining a balance between "good" and "bad" microbes that normally inhabit your body. But sometimes these protective mechanisms fail, increasing the number of candida fungus and allowing an oral thrush infection to take hold.

The most common type of candida fungus is Candida albicans. Several factors, such as a weakened immune system, can increase your risk of oral thrush.

Risk factors

You may have an increased risk of oral thrush infection if any of these issues apply:

  • Weakened immunity. Oral thrush is more likely to occur in infants and older adults due to reduced immunity. Some medical conditions and treatments can suppress your immune system, such as cancer and its treatments, organ transplantation and required drugs that suppress the immune system, and HIV/AIDS.
  • Diabetes. If you have untreated diabetes or the disease isn't well-controlled, your saliva may contain large amounts of sugar, which encourages the growth of candida.
  • Vaginal yeast infections. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the same fungus that causes oral thrush. You can pass the infection to your baby.
  • Medications. Drugs such as prednisone, inhaled corticosteroids, or antibiotics that disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in your body can increase your risk of oral thrush.
  • Other oral conditions. Wearing dentures, especially upper dentures, or having conditions that cause dry mouth can increase the risk of oral thrush.

Complications

Oral thrush is seldom a problem for healthy children and adults.

For people with lowered immunity, such as from cancer treatment or HIV/AIDS, thrush can be more serious. Untreated oral thrush can lead to more-serious systemic candida infections. If you have a weakened immune system, thrush may spread to your esophagus or other parts of your body.

Prevention

These measures may help reduce your risk of developing candida infections:

  • Rinse your mouth. If you need to use a corticosteroid inhaler, be sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after taking your medication.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily or as often as your dentist recommends.
  • Check your dentures. Remove your dentures at night. Make sure dentures fit properly and don't cause irritation. Clean your dentures daily. Ask your dentist for the best way to clean your type of dentures.
  • See your dentist regularly, especially if you have diabetes or wear dentures. Ask your dentist how often you need to be seen.
  • Watch what you eat. Try limiting the amount of sugar-containing foods you eat. These may encourage the growth of candida.
  • Maintain good blood sugar control if you have diabetes. Well-controlled blood sugar can reduce the amount of sugar in your saliva, discouraging the growth of candida.
  • Treat a vaginal yeast infection as soon as possible.
  • Treat dry mouth. Ask your doctor about ways to avoid or treat your dry mouth.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Associated Procedures

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Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus | Fungal Diseases

About

Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Candida normally lives on the skin and inside the body, in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems.1 Sometimes, Candida can multiply and cause an infection if the environment inside the mouth, throat, or esophagus changes in a way that encourages fungal growth.

Candidiasis in the mouth and throat is also called thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis. Candidiasis in the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach) is called esophageal candidiasis or Candida esophagitis. Esophageal candidiasis is one of the most common infections in people living with HIV/AIDS.2

Symptoms

Candidiasis in the mouth and throat can have many different symptoms, including:

  • White patches on the inner cheeks, tongue, roof of the mouth, and throat (photo showing candidiasis in the mouth)
  • Redness or soreness
  • Cotton-like feeling in the mouth
  • Loss of taste
  • Pain while eating or swallowing
  • Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth

Symptoms of candidiasis in the esophagus usually include pain when swallowing and difficulty swallowing.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that you think are related to candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus.

Risk and Prevention

Who gets candidiasis in the mouth or throat?

Candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus is uncommon in healthy adults. People who are at higher risk for getting candidiasis in the mouth and throat include babies, especially those younger than 1 month of age, and people with at least one of these factors:3-7

  • Wear dentures
  • Have diabetes
  • Have cancer
  • Have HIV/AIDS
  • Take antibiotics or corticosteroids, including inhaled corticosteroids for conditions like asthma
  • Take medications that cause dry mouth or have medical conditions that cause dry mouth
  • Smoke

Most people who get candidiasis in the esophagus have weakened immune systems, meaning that their bodies don’t fight infections well. This includes people living with HIV/AIDS and people who have blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. People who get candidiasis in the esophagus often also have candidiasis in the mouth and throat.

How can I prevent candidiasis in the mouth or throat?

Ways to help prevent candidiasis in the mouth and throat include:

  • Maintain good oral health
  • Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after using inhaled corticosteroids

Sources

Candida normally lives in the mouth, throat, and the rest of the digestive tract without causing any problems. Sometimes, Candida can multiply and cause an infection if the environment inside the mouth, throat, or esophagus changes in a way that encourages its growth.

This can happen when:

  • a person’s immune system becomes weakened,
  • if antibiotics affect the natural balance of microbes in the body,
  • or for a variety of other reasons in other groups of people.

Diagnosis and Testing

Healthcare providers can usually diagnose candidiasis in the mouth or throat simply by looking inside.8 Sometimes a healthcare provider will take a small sample from the mouth or throat. The sample is sent to a laboratory for testing, usually to be examined under a microscope.

Healthcare providers usually diagnose candidiasis in the esophagus by doing an endoscopy. An endoscopy is a procedure to examine the digestive tract using a tube with a light and a camera. A healthcare provider might prescribe antifungal medicine without doing an endoscopy to see if the patient’s symptoms get better.

Treatment

Candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus is usually treated with antifungal medicine.6 The treatment for mild to moderate infections in the mouth or throat is usually an antifungal medicine applied to the inside of the mouth for 7 to 14 days. These medications include clotrimazole, miconazole, or nystatin. For severe infections, the most common treatment is fluconazole (an antifungal medication) taken by mouth or through a vein. If patient does not get better after taking fluconazole, healthcare providers may prescribe a different antifungal. The treatment for candidiasis in the esophagus is usually fluconazole. Other types of prescription antifungal medicines can also be used for people who can’t take fluconazole or who don’t get better after taking fluconazole.

If you are a healthcare provider, click here to see the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of CandidiasisExternalexternal icon.

Statistics

The exact number of cases of candidiasis in the mouth, throat, and esophagus in the United States is difficult to determine. This is because there is no national surveillance for these infections. The risk of these infections varies based on the presence of certain underlying medical conditions. For example, candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus is uncommon in healthy adults. However, they are some of the most common infections in people living with HIV/AIDS.2 In one study, about one-third of patients with advanced HIV infection had candidiasis in the mouth and throat. 9

Oral candidiasis (thrush) - symptoms and treatment

Oral candidiasis is an inflammatory disease that develops against the background of damage to the mucous membranes by fungi of the genus Candida. This is usually associated with a deterioration in local and general immunity. According to studies, up to 90% of the adult population is carriers of this fungus, but the disease most often does not develop, since under normal conditions the pathogen does not act aggressively.

Causes of candidiasis

Thrush in the mouth in an adult is a mucosal lesion that may indicate serious health problems. For the reproduction of the fungus, special conditions are necessary. Most often, the disease occurs in patients who neglect oral hygiene. The presence of caries, inflammatory gum disease increases the chances of developing fungal inflammation. This is due to the fact that a large number of pathogenic microorganisms depletes the defense mechanisms.

The second group of reasons is the weakening of the immune system due to a number of diseases and conditions:

  • HIV, diabetes mellitus;

  • oncological diseases;

  • dystrophy, deficiency of vitamins, minerals;

  • surgeries, severe infections, etc.

There are also specific reasons for the development of thrush. It may appear after prolonged and powerful antibiotic therapy. The use of antibiotics leads to the destruction of beneficial flora and imbalance. This causes the active reproduction of Candida.

Oral candidiasis also develops against the background of inhaled corticosteroids. Usually the lesion has the appearance of erythema and appears in areas where the drug has come into contact with the mucosa: in the palate, tongue.

Features of the diet affect the likelihood of developing candidiasis. So, the predominance of carbohydrates predisposes to the activity of the fungus. The growth of Candida and its attachment to the mucosa are enhanced in the presence of sugars.

Bad habits increase the chances of developing leukoplakia, lichen planus and other diseases. Especially when it comes to smoking. Candidiasis often develops in patients with tongue piercings.

The presence of removable dentures is also a risk factor if the patient does not follow the rules of hygiene. In the absence of high-quality cleansing, the prosthesis is covered with a biofilm, which contains a lot of fungi. Disinfection is the main measure for the prevention of the disease and part of the complex treatment for progressive oral candidiasis. If the patient does not remove the structure at night, this also increases the likelihood of developing the disease. The mucous membrane remains without oxygen for a long time, is not washed by saliva - these conditions are suitable for the development of fungi and anaerobic microorganisms. The prosthesis can injure the mucous membranes if it does not fit. Microtraumas weaken local defenses and contribute to the onset of the development of a fungal infection. Injuries can also be associated with sharp chipped teeth and fillings, chemical and thermal burns.

Dryness of the oral cavity due to decreased salivation, changes in the viscosity of saliva, its composition is one of the causes of candidiasis. This may be due to other diseases, so it is important to find out the causes of dryness in order to effectively deal with the consequences.

Oral candidiasis is more common in children. The immaturity of the immune system, the colonization of the oral cavity by Candida from the vaginal canal of the mother during natural childbirth lead to the fact that the disease develops in early infancy. However, older children can also suffer from an illness, which is associated with a weakening of the immune forces.

Types of oral candidiasis and symptoms

Manifestations of oral candidiasis may vary from patient to patient. This is due to the degree of damage to the mucous membranes, as well as the specific type of disease. There are four forms:

  • acute pseudomembranous;

  • acute atrophic;

  • chronic atrophic;

  • chronic hyperplastic.

Although the treatment regimen for all forms is almost the same, the symptoms can vary significantly. Let's consider them in more detail.

Acute pseudomembranous candidiasis

This form of oral candidiasis may be asymptomatic. There is slight discomfort due to a white film or small plaques rising above the mucosa. With a mild course, one or more plaques appear, they are easily removed by scraping, and the mucosal area under them has a bright red color. In severe cases, large plaques appear in large numbers. They can merge, forming large areas of damage. Sometimes the symptoms cover the entire mucous membrane. When the plaques thicken, their removal becomes problematic. A severe course is more typical for infants, as well as in adult patients after antibiotic therapy, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants.

Acute and chronic atrophic candidiasis

Acute atrophic candidiasis is accompanied by severe burning. There may be no white plaque, and the mucous membrane becomes bright red. Many patients report a metallic, sour, salty, or bitter taste in their mouths. A characteristic manifestation of the disease is dry mouth. This form of the disease is often associated with drug therapy.

In chronic atrophic candidiasis, redness and burning are less pronounced. Usually the disease develops against the background of the installation and wearing of prostheses.

Chronic hyperplastic candidiasis

This form of the disease is typical for adults. Oral thrush can spread to the mucous membranes of the cheeks, the corners of the mouth and lips, the back of the tongue, and the soft palate. One of the symptoms is the appearance of white plaques that tend to merge with each other. As the disease progresses, their surface becomes rough, rough. Over time, the elements may turn yellow. Formations merge with mucous membranes and it is impossible to remove them.

Diagnostic methods

Treatment by a general dentist. Diagnosis begins with an examination and a detailed survey: the doctor will find out what drugs you have taken recently, whether there are chronic and infectious diseases. A cytological examination of plaque taken from the mucosa is mandatory. This is important because the accumulation of non-fungal flora can be easily confused with a fungal infection.

Scraping is performed in the morning, on an empty stomach, it is not necessary to brush your teeth before the procedure. On the eve, it is important to refuse to eat foods rich in carbohydrates so as not to provoke the growth of pathogenic flora. Studies allow not only to accurately determine the pathogen and type of Candida fungus, but also to find out the sensitivity of fungi to the main antifungal drugs. Based on the results of the tests, the doctor will determine the fungus in the oral cavity and prescribe medication.

Features of treatment

The basis of treatment is systemic and local antifungal drugs. Today they are widely represented on the pharmaceutical market, but it is important to know that the level of Candida fungus resistance to fixed assets is growing every year. For example, resistance to drugs such as Fluconazole is almost complete. Previously, this remedy was used in almost all cases of the disease, but today doctors are forced to revise standard treatment regimens.

Treatment of thrush in the mouth in adults is selected individually. The choice of a systemic antifungal agent is based on the type of pathogen, the patient's condition and the individual characteristics of his health. There are agents to which the infection has minimal resistance. The doctor may prescribe drugs based on nystatin, imidazole derivatives, etc.

In addition, local funds must be used:

  • mouth rinses;

  • gels and suspensions for application to affected areas;

  • topical lozenges and lozenges;

  • irrigation solutions and aerosols;

  • ointments for laying in the oral cavity on a cotton-gauze swab, etc.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe an over-the-counter antiseptic or mild saline rinse. Usually, solutions based on iodine, chlorhexidine, potassium permanganate, gentian violet, sodium tetraborate in glycerin are used. Some pills the doctor may recommend laying on the cheek.

Conditions for effective treatment

Effective treatment of oral thrush involves addressing the underlying cause. It is very important to sanitize the oral cavity: to cure teeth destroyed by caries, to remove non-viable teeth and roots that can no longer be restored. These are chronic foci of inflammation, so simultaneous sanitation will shorten the treatment time. Tartar and plaque should also be removed. This is especially true in cases of candidal stomatitis associated with trauma to the gums with sharp edges of hard dental deposits.

Patients with removable dentures should be retrained in hygiene and disinfection of prosthetic structures. If the time of using the prosthesis comes to an end, it is important to replace it in a timely manner. Treatment of candidiasis will be useless if a person uses the prosthesis incorrectly and again creates conditions for the reproduction of fungi in the oral cavity.

Unsuitable crowns, bridges and other structures are also subject to replacement. It is also important to eliminate enamel chips, which become a source of injury to the gums, mucous membranes of the cheeks and tongue.

Smokers should, if possible, reduce their smoking episodes or give up smoking habits. If the disease developed while taking corticosteroids, it is important to explain the rules of treatment: you should rinse your mouth with plenty of warm water after spraying the drug.

In the treatment of oral candidiasis that has developed against the background of antibiotic therapy, measures should be taken to restore the normal microflora of the intestine and oral cavity. It may be necessary to consult another narrow specialist or therapist: you will need to take probiotics and prebiotics.

For all patients treated for candidiasis, a few general guidelines apply:

  • maintaining oral hygiene;

  • refusal of food rich in carbohydrates;

  • Refusal of sugary drinks.

It is necessary to exclude from the diet food that can irritate the mucous membranes: dishes cooked with vinegar, marinades, spicy, peppery foods, smoked meats, sour fruits and berries. Also, you can not eat confectionery, pastries with yeast, sugar. It is better to give preference to warm dishes. It is necessary to observe such a diet for another 1.5-2 months after recovery.

In some cases, it is advisable to use toothpastes with glucose oxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin. They improve the protective forces of the oral mucosa and can be part of a comprehensive prevention of inflammation. The choice of toothpaste must be agreed with the doctor, he will recommend the best remedy, and also tell you which brush is suitable.

Possible complications

If treatment is started late or incorrectly selected, acute oral candidiasis can be transformed into chronic or complicated by the transition to an invasive process that is difficult to treat.

Prevention of candidiasis

Specific prophylaxis of candidiasis in the oral cavity is carried out only in the presence of HIV infection, the patient undergoing radiation therapy, immunosuppressive or antibiotic therapy. In the absence of these risk factors, the doctor will make recommendations for a specific case.

Prevention of fungal diseases in patients with diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, chronic systemic diseases involves control of the underlying pathology. It is important to regularly see a doctor of your profile, take the prescribed funds.

If antibiotic therapy is necessary, the following rules must be followed:

  • take antibiotics only as directed by your doctor;

  • observe a sufficient duration of the course of treatment - do not cancel self-prescribed drugs when relief occurs;

  • if a long course of treatment is needed or if repeated antibiotic therapy is required, take the prescribed antifungal agents for prophylaxis.

When treating asthma, ask your doctor about using nebulizers. After inhalation, it is important to rinse the mouth in order to prevent the negative effects of the drug components on the mucous membranes.

If oral candidiasis often recurs, it is better to undergo a comprehensive examination: a standard medical examination or use specific diagnostic methods that the doctor will select. Fungal infections of the mucous membranes can be a manifestation of an underlying disease that you do not know about. Consult a therapist to find out the exact causes and take action in time.

Oral candidiasis (stomatitis): symptoms, causes, treatment

November 23, 2021

Oral candidiasis is an infectious disease, often called "thrush", caused by a fungus of the genus Candida.

ICD-10 Candidiasis

  • B370014
  • B37.04 skin-mesy candidiasis
  • B37.05 Candidiasis granuloma
  • B37.06 Angular Heilit
  • B37 Earth at least once in a lifetime suffered candidiasis. 1

    Causes of candidiasis

    2,3,4,5

    Candidiasis develops due to an excessive increase in the number of Candida fungi in the oral cavity. This is facilitated by local and general factors.

    Local factors

    • Decrease in the amount of saliva
    • Smoking
    • Changes in the mucous membrane of the mouth (e.g. heilites)
    • Diseases of the mucous membranes (for example, red flat lichen of the oral cavity)
    • Take of drugs (for example, glucocortico -nashery)
      • 9001
    • Poor oral hygiene
    • Wearing removable dentures
    • Changes in oral microflora

    General factors

    Itching appears, food is difficult, white plaque is well noticeable

    In gravity :: Heavy

    In addition to the OSL, Pain appears, Important. fever

    Stages of disease development

    Candida fungus is normally present on the skin and mucous membranes. In the oral cavity, it is found in 25-60% of healthy people, while Candida does not bring any problems. But as soon as the immune system decreases, and the amount of the fungus increases, candidiasis develops.

    1. Adherence

    The very first stage when Candida adheres to the oral mucosa

    2. Reproduction

    spread of Candida in breadth over the infected surface

    3. Sprouting of Candida

    In this stage there is a violation of the barrier function 4.06 906 906 9006 of the mucous membrane Penetration and spread

    This stage occurs when the microorganism enters the tissues and spreads throughout the body through the blood and lymphatic system.

    Symptoms of candidiasis

    Symptoms of the disease depend on the severity, stage of the disease, its duration and the factor that started it all.

    Main signs of candidiasis:

    • Plaque , similar to curdled milk - hence the name "thrush". Plaque can be on the oral mucosa, tongue, lips, tonsils, on all organs.
    • Burning and itching - common in candidiasis. The more extensively the disease spreads, the faster itching and burning develop into pain. The pain usually gets worse when eating.
    • Dryness of the oral cavity
    • Cracks on the lips , corners of the mouth
    • Difficulty swallowing, opening the mouth, eating
    • Under the coating, the mucous membrane is often bright red, ulcers may also appear and the temperature may increase

    Diagnosis of candidiasis

    The basis for the diagnosis is the patient's complaints, examination data. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor takes a scraping, then the resulting material is sown in the laboratory. It is also necessary to determine the sensitivity of the fungus to specific drugs.

    Types of sampling : scraping from the mucous membrane, smear-imprint, smear-reprint, saliva sampling, swabs from the oral cavity. For example, with visible lesions of the mucous membrane, scrapings and smears are used directly from the site of the lesion. In cases where there is no clear element of the lesion or when it is located in a hard-to-reach area of ​​the oral cavity, it is possible to use indirect methods for taking material, for example, saliva or obtaining swabs from the oral mucosa.

    For microscopic examination, the patient is recommended not to use antimicrobial agents of local or systemic action 3-4 days before sampling, the analysis is taken on an empty stomach and before brushing the teeth.

    As mentioned earlier, the doctor makes a diagnosis of candidiasis on the basis of clinical data, the history of the disease and, of course, test results.

    It is very important to make a correct diagnosis, because the symptoms of candidiasis of the oral mucosa are very similar to those of other diseases, such as lichen planus. Therefore, differential diagnosis is important.

    Complications of candidiasis

    Oral thrush is not usually a long-term problem for people with healthy immune systems. With proper treatment, it passes in a short time. However, it can cause more serious problems and repeated infections in immunocompromised people.

    Prevention of recurrence of oral candidiasis

    For local and general prevention of candidiasis of the oral mucosa, drugs prescribed by dentists and therapists are used.

    Taking the following measures can help reduce the risk of developing the disease: 9,10,11

    • Regular oral hygiene : brush teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once a day
    • Do not forget about toothbrushes, tongue scraper, irrigator. Even more thorough hygiene should be carried out if there is a bracket system or dentures, crowns, implants.
    • Mouthwashes can cause candidiasis and should only be used as directed by a doctor.
    • Care of dentures: they should be cleaned every day. Dentures should be removed at bedtime and cleaned with special solutions, brushes and pastes.
    • Regular dental visits: Dental check-ups should be done regularly, even if a person has no or few teeth. The dentist should be visited once every 6 months. This is especially important for people who have chronic diseases such as diabetes.
    • Diabetes Therapy: High sugar saliva provides a favorable environment for the growth of Candida albicans. Therefore, people with diabetes should control their blood sugar levels to reduce the amount of sugar in their saliva.
    • Watch your diet: eating foods rich in sugar and yeast can also promote the growth of Candida, so consumption of foods such as bread, beer and wine should be limited.
    • Mouthwash. People who use an inhaler for bronchial asthma must rinse their mouth after using such drugs. Inhaled corticosteroids suppress the immune system to help prevent asthma-causing inflammation. Unfortunately, they often also disrupt the immune mechanisms in the throat that control Candida albicans.
    • Smoking restriction: Inhaled tobacco smoke dries out the mouth and disrupts microbial balance, which can lead to overgrowth of Candida.

    Local preventive measures

    1

    If the causes of oral candidiasis are not eliminated, then 7–14 days after the treatment, an anti-relapse course of local antifungal agents is carried out. But it is better to immediately remove all risk factors.

    2

    Continuation of antiseptic treatment of the oral cavity for 10–14 days after the treatment of mucosal candidiasis.

    3

    The restoration of the normal microflora of the oral cavity is required.

    4

    Maintenance of individual oral hygiene and orthopedic structures (crowns, bridges) - includes cleaning teeth, tongue, interdental spaces, caring for prostheses and their antiseptic treatment once a day.

    5

    Regular observation with microbiological examination in case of clinical manifestations of the disease.

    Treatment of oral candidiasis

    Candidiasis requires early and correct diagnosis. For successful treatment, all predisposing factors must be eliminated, for example, drug therapy for diabetes mellitus must be corrected. 12.13

    The treatment of candidiasis is always associated with the treatment of general diseases, without which it is impossible to avoid constant relapses.

    The basis of general treatment is a course of antifungal drugs. Vitamin therapy is also recommended to increase the overall resistance of the body. If there was a long course of antibiotic therapy, it is necessary to take probiotics to normalize the microflora.

    Nystatin
    Terbinafine
    Griseofulvin
    Nitrofugin
    Potassium iodide

    Topical treatment of candidiasis also includes the use of antifungal solutions, gels.

    Regular antiseptic treatment of affected areas is important, for this solution Tantum ® Verde can be used.

    It is necessary to cure caries and its complications, remove tartar and plaque. Be sure to establish a home oral hygiene , choose the right hygiene products.

    Tantum

    ® Verde in the treatment of oral candidiasis

    Tantum ® Verde has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and analgesic effects. 18,19,20 The complex action of the solution allows you to reduce the number of products used.

    Candidiasis often affects the oral mucosa ( stomatitis ) and lips ( cheilitis ) at the same time, so only complex treatment with multidisciplinary drugs will give a long-term result.

    Tantum ® Verde has proven antifungal efficacy 20.21 and has various forms of application: solution, spray, tablets 22,23,24 . The spray and tablet form is convenient for oral care outside the home.

    Spray Tantum ® Verde

    more candidiasis on other organs requires the use of antifungal drugs inside.

    Do not forget that the wrong dosage of drugs can also have a toxic effect. Therefore, before use, you should consult a doctor. 14

    With proper treatment, the symptoms of candidiasis disappear after 12-15 days. In the case of a chronic course of the disease, a longer course of treatment is needed, often several courses are required. In severe cases, treatment can last 1-3 months (from 2 to 6 courses). 15.16

    Answers to popular questions

    1. Is thrush contagious?

    Yes, contagious. Often, young children become infected with it from their mothers. To avoid this, it is recommended to cure the mother's candidiasis, as well as treat the nipples and household items (antiseptically).

    2. I have candidiasis - does this mean I have diabetes?

    No, not at all. But, if you often encounter thrush, it will not be superfluous to take a blood test for sugar. In diabetes, the risk of recurrence of candidiasis is higher.

    Learn more