CANDIDA-ASSOCIATED DENTURE STOMATITIS - ETIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT - A REVIEW - PART 1 - FACTORS INFLUENCING DISTRIBUTION OF CANDIDA SPECIES IN THE ORAL CAVITY

Candida species are yeasts and within the oral cavity, Candida albican s is the most frequently isolated. There is clear evidence that C. alb icans adheres to oral surfaces including acrylic dentures and mucosa. The mechanisms of attachment differ, with candidal adhesion to inert s urfaces under the control of hydrophobic and electrostatic forces and adhesion to mucosa dependent on a number of complex ligand-recognition systems. Other factors within the oral environment such as saliva, pH , bacteria and hyphal formation have been shown to influence adhesion of candida species to surfaces in the mouth.