Oral Yeast Infection Information

The symptoms are:

• An oral yeast infection will have a burning and painful irritation similar to the vaginal yeast infection.
• Additional symptoms may be a craving for sugar and other carbohydrates while there is a digestive distress as well. Other painful symptoms can develop if an oral yeast infection is left untreated.
• Some of these symptoms include muscle aches and even depression.
• An oral yeast infection must be diagnosed by a doctor in order to receive proper treatment.

The Cause:

• While an oral yeast infection isn’t as well known as a vaginal yeast infection, it is the same fungus that causes both infections.
• The yeast named Candida is thought to be the cause of most oral yeast infections. This yeast is normally found in the digestive and vaginal tracts.
• The yeast that causes an oral yeast infection is especially susceptible in babies and elderly.
• There are three primary modes that can result in an oral yeast infection including invasion of tissue, induction of a hypersensitive state and by making potent toxins.

Types Of Oral Yeast Infections

There are four clinical types of oral yeast infections:

1. moniliasis or thrush,
2. erythematous,
3. hyperplastic and
4. angular cheilitis.

When individuals have thrush there will be a smooth and creamy coating on the mouth’s surface that is either white or yellow in color. When the mouth surface is wiped off there will be a red tissue beneath. Erythematous is typically found on the palate and tongue, it is seen as a red patch that peels away. Hyperplastic is diagnosed by an extra tissue that can’t be wiped off easily and is somewhat discolored due to staining by food. The corners of a person’s mouth will have red cracks covered by a pseudo membrane when they have angular cheilitis.
All forms of oral yeast infections have several symptoms in common. Anyone with an oral yeast infection of any kind will have a burning and painful sensation in their mouth. Sometimes this may be accompanied by a craving for sugar, alcohol or bread. There may also be problems with digesting food. It isn’t uncommon for individuals with an oral yeast infection to feel depressed and have muscle aches.

An oral yeast infection can result from a reduced defense to the fungi, a side effect of certain drug therapies, linked to a systemic disease or due to a change in the oral cavity.

With the introduction of broad-spectrum antibiotics, glucocorticosteroid preparations, pills for birth control and antidepressants oral yeast infections became more common.

Candida infections can also be more noticeable if they are linked to systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and a few others.