[Candida infections of the oral mucosa--not only a dental problem]

Frequency of occurrence of mycotic infections of the oral mucosa is higher in later years. It is connected with common use of antibiotics, intensive cancer treatment (cytostatics, radiation therapy) as well as immunosuppressant drugs and antibiotics, which have an influence on mikroflora disorders of the oral cavity. Candidiasis of oral mucosa occurs in old patients, in people suffering from diabetes mellitus, hypothyreosis, sideropenia, hypovitaminosis and xerostomia, which is often caused by hypofunction of salivary glands during autoimmune diseases and/or drug and systemic treatment. The aim of the study was to make a retrospective evaluation of frequency of occurring mycotic infections in patients treated in the Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk in the 2003, as well as recognition of systemic conditioning of these disorders. The Study material was clinical documentation of 4172 patients, treated because of different oral mucose and periodontium disorders. From these patients, selected was a group of 105 (83 women and 22 men) with diagnosis--Candidosis mucosae oris. Clinical and mycotic examination was performed.

Mycotic infections were found in 105 patients (2.5%). Systemic diseases (74.3%) were found in a maturity of the patients, which indicated systemic predispositions to candida infections.

A wide cooperation between general practitioners and dentists, especially perio-dontologists, is necessary to give full care to patients. Early diagnosis of disorders of the oral cavity of patients with systemic diseases and dentistry treatment or taking preventive measures seems to be necessary.