Fungi in the mouth

Almost half of healthy people have fungi in their mouths. But when do these fungi cause a problem and what can you do about it?

In certain cases, oral fungi can cause unpleasant infections. This infection is known as thrush and is often caused by Candida. This mainly occurs in newborns, but can also occur with poor oral hygiene, with dentures, in smokers, in people with diabetes and when using puffers with cortisone for asthma.

In newborns, thrush causes white patches on the tongue or other places in the mouth. In adults, thrush appears as red lesions on the oral mucosa.

You can prevent thrush by not smoking, by carefully cleaning your dentures every day, by keeping your sugar levels under control and by rinsing your mouth after using puffers.

If you really suffer from the fungal infection, your doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication that you will have to use for several weeks.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025