Oral thrush causes
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Oral Thrush Causes: Candida albicans and Risk Factors
Candida albicans as the Main Cause of Oral Thrush
Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is primarily caused by the overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans in the mouth. While Candida albicans is a normal part of the oral flora in many healthy individuals, it can become pathogenic when the balance of microorganisms in the mouth is disrupted or when the immune system is weakened Kate2021Wilson2021Bansal2022+4 MORE.
Immune Suppression and Systemic Risk Factors
A major risk factor for developing oral thrush is immune suppression. This can be due to systemic conditions such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, or the use of immunosuppressive medications like corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs. Both local and systemic immune suppression can allow Candida to overgrow and cause infection Kate2021Wilson2021Bansal2022+4 MORE. Infants, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses are particularly susceptible Kate2021Wilson2021Bansal2022+3 MORE.
Local Factors: Antibiotics, Corticosteroids, and Oral Environment
Local factors that disrupt the normal oral environment also contribute to oral thrush. These include the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can kill beneficial bacteria and allow Candida to multiply, and the use of inhaled corticosteroids, which can suppress local immune responses in the mouth. Denture use, dry mouth (hyposalivation), and poor oral hygiene are additional risk factors Kate2021Wilson2021Bansal2022+3 MORE.
Other Contributing Factors
Other factors that can increase the risk of oral thrush include smoking, the presence of other oral infections, and certain medical devices such as dentures or intrauterine devices (IUDs) . In children, especially those aged 1-2 months, oral thrush is more common, likely due to their developing immune systems Kate2021Habib2007.
Transmission and Opportunistic Nature
Oral thrush can be transmitted through direct contact, such as kissing or breastfeeding, especially if one person is already colonized with Candida . The infection is considered opportunistic, meaning it takes advantage of weakened host defenses or changes in the oral environment to cause disease Bansal2022Taylor2019Vila2020+1 MORE.
Conclusion
Oral thrush is caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast that is normally present in the mouth. The main causes include immune suppression (from diseases or medications), disruption of the normal oral flora (from antibiotics or poor oral hygiene), and local factors such as dentures or dry mouth. Infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk. Preventing oral thrush involves maintaining good oral hygiene, managing underlying health conditions, and minimizing risk factors where possible Kate2021Wilson2021Bansal2022+6 MORE.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Oral Thrush: A Candida Infection of Mouth
Oral thrush is a yeast infection caused by Candida Albicans in the mouth, causing white lesions on tongue or inner cheeks, and can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene and using antifungal medicine.
Fig Leaf (Ficus carica Linn.) Extract as a Potential Alternative Treatment for Oral Thrush Caused by Candida albicans
Ethanol extract of fig leaf shows significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans, suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment for oral thrush caused by this fungal infection.
Revisiting oral thrush in Southeast Asian patients: A review of published studies (2000-2020).
Most studies on oral candidiasis in Southeast Asia focus on HIV-positive patients, with limited data on non-HIV immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients.
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