An Epidemiological Study on Candida Albicans in the Oral Cavity

Abstract

Candida albicans is found to occur in the oral cavity of individuals, whether or not they have oral disease. In our survey, 79 subjects were grouped according to oral rinse colony counts and clinical examinations as being noncarriers of C. albicans, non-diseased carriers of C. albicans, or diseased carriers of C. albicans. Answers to a number of questions on medical history, dietary practices and oral hygiene were recorded. Data obtained were tested by the Chi Square test, and 2 categories showed significant differences between noncarriers of C. albicans, non-diseased carriers of C albicans, and diseased carriers of C. albicans. More individuals in the noncarrier and diseased carrier groups were regular alcoholic beverage drinkers; and more individuals in the non-diseased carrier of C. albicans and diseased carrier of C. albicans groups were hormone users.