Yeast Infection In The Mouth - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

There are a few reasons why the mouth can develop an infection in the mucous membrane. Fungus, bacteria or a disease are some of the likely causes. The fungus Candida albicans is the probable cause of oral yeast infections which are a common condition for babies and adults alike. When babies have a yeast infection in the mouth it is usually referred to as thrush. When a yeast infection occurs in the mouth of adults it is known as Candidiasis or moniliasis.

Candida is a yeast-like fungus that occurs naturally in small quantities in the human digestive system and in women’s vaginal region. It is also the same Candida fungus that causes yeast infections in women, and yeast infection in the mouth. This happens when the Candida organism, which is present in small numbers in a healthy person, grows out of control. The fungus invades the membranes lining the mouth and throat, and secretes toxic substances which may cause a painful burning feeling.

There are a range of things that can cause yeast infections in the mouth. The first thing that might be the culprit is the use of antibiotics. Another factor could be if you are undergoing a course of chemotherapy or other drug treatments which can increase your susceptibility to contracting a yeast infection. This is because these drugs produce a favorable environment within your body for growth of Candida. Using these drugs reduces the number of favorable bacteria that normally help keep the Candida in check giving it the chance to grow rapidly.

Some of the conditions that favor growth of the Candida microorganism include diabetes, poor nutrition, drug abuse, and a weakened immune system. Since the very young and the very old do not have such strong immune systems, they are more susceptible to yeast infection in the mouth, as their systems are less resistant to small variations in their environment.

People with poorly fitting dentures are prime candidates for developing a yeast infection in the mouth. The mouth’s mucous membranes are more likely to be damaged due to dentures that do not fit properly. These damaged areas may provide the gateway for Candida fungi to take hold and cause a problem.

A common symptom of oral yeast infection is a white or cream colored discharge and occasionally yellow spots within the mouth. This is often a precursor to painful stinging or burning inside the mouth and throat and can be a source of distress for children and adults.

A yeast infection in the mouth is a 2 step process. Firstly, you must treat the underlying cause of the problem. It may be necessary to replace dentures if they appear to be the cause of the infection. Then you can take some form of antifungal drug that will eradicate the fungi. The most popular form of anti fungal medication are pastilles because they are easy to take. As you suck on the pastille, the medication acts directly on the fungus.