Does your mouth get painful white bumps? This condition is called oral candidiasis. A small amount of this fungus normally living in your mouth does not cause any harm.

Let us know more about it.

Know more about Candida

Candida is basically a genus yeast and is the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide. There are a number of micro-organisms living in our mouth. These being the good bacteria and bad bacteria. The good bacteria are living in the mouth all times. However, when the immune system is low or disturbed these micro-organisms can cause diseases and gum infections.

When the candida grows, it appears as large, round, white or cream colonies.

Which emit a yeasty odour at room temperature.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis or the oral thrush is the yeast infection inside your mouth and on your tongue.

What causes fungal infections of the mouth

It can occur when your immune system is weak due to certain medications that reduce the number of healthy microorganisms that would prevent infection. Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, may also damage healthy cells.

Diabetes is another illness that affects your immune system, can contribute oral candidiasis as well. If you have a high level of sugar in the saliva, it will feed the C.albicans to grow in your mouth.

Eating contaminated food and habits like nail biting can cause fungal infections like candidiasis.

In newborns, oral candidiasis can be contracted at birth. It is very uncommon in the newborn.

How do you know if you’re suffering from fungal infections in the mouth

1. Creamy white bumps on tongue, gums, inner cheeks, and tonsils.
2. Bleeding slightly when the bumps are scraped.
3. Pain at the bump site.
4. Difficulty swallowing.
5. Bad taste in the mouth.
6. Fever if the infection spreads.

In children, these may be the signs that your child is suffering from any infections

1. Difficulty feeding.
2. Irritability.
3. fussiness

Diagnosis of oral candidiasis

Simple examining your mouth and tongue for the characteristic white bumps will help the doctor to diagnose the problem.

In some cases, the doctor also may take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy involves removing off a very small part of a bump in the mouth.

Another way to diagnose oral candidiasis is endoscopy.

Measures to prevent infections like oral candidiasis in your mouth

1] Practice good oral hygiene 

Brush your teeth twice every day and floss at least once daily

2] Treat chronic health problems

Patients with underlying medical conditions like diabetes whether controlled or uncontrolled are prone to various infections of the mouth including bacterial and fungal infections. Hence diabetes should be strictly controlled and oral hygiene maintenance is very important in such conditions.

3] Do not overuse mouthwash or sprays

Many mouthwashes contain alcohol which may cause a burning sensation. The use of alcoholic mouthwashes may also cause dryness of the mouth. Hence non-alcoholic medicated mouthwashes should be used.

4] Hydrate your body with plenty of water

Not drinking enough water may cause dryness of the mouth making the oral cavity more susceptible to mouth infections.

5] Limit unhealthy foods

Limit food that contains sugar or yeast, especially bread.

6] Quit smoking

Smoking reduces the blood supply to the tissues of the mouth. The pink colour of the gums and lips fade and eventually become dark brown to black. Smoking also hampers the healing process.

7] Visit your dentist

Visit your dentist regularly for infections of the mouth and gums at the earliest.