Fungi

Question 1

What is it

Answer 1

Fungi is larger than bacteria but only visible under a light microscope. It is a type of microscopic plant similar to mushrooms and is reproduced by budding or by spore production. They grow by producing extensive branching network across tissues (hyphae)

Question 2

diseases

Answer 2

Candida albicans is a fungus which grows well beneath poorly cleaned dentures and in the mouths of patients with ill health. This is the only fungal infection of importance to dental as it causes oral thrush, denture stomatitis and angular cheilitis.

Question 3

Oral thrush

Answer 3

appearing as a removable white film with underlying red, sore patches occurring on the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Associated with general ill health, especially in elderly or those suffering from other serious diseases such as AIDS. When present in an otherwise healthy individual, oral thrush will have developed because of a disruption I the usual oral bacteria colony, usually following a course of antibiotics

Question 4

Denture stomatitis

Answer 4

also known as ‘denture sore mouth’ which occurs in healthy patients beneath both dentures and removable orthodontic appliances as a reddened but stainless area lying exactly beneath the palatal section of the appliance. Associated with poor appliance hygiene and raised moisture levels beneath the appliance, allowing fungus to colonise the underlying oral tissues

Question 5

Angular Cheilitis

Answer 5

a Candida infection that specifically involves the angles of the mouth appearing as a localised area of inflamed and cracked skin which is often crusted over. Wide mouth opening will split the lesion + cause bleeding + further splitting. Associated with constant saliva leakage into the angle areas, allowing fungal infection to occur. Pts usually have deep tissue folds here or have a ‘crumpled face’ appearance due to loss of their occasional face height. This may be due to edentulousness, worn dentures or tooth surface loss with age or in severe cases of attrition

Question 6

Antifungal agents

Answer 6

usually provided as oral gels, solutions or as a pastille to be sucked + dissolved in mouth (Nystatin pastilles or solution, Amphotericin lozenges, Miconazole gel, Fluconazole tablets)