Candida species are common global opportunistic pathogens that could repeatedly and chronically cause oral mucosa infection and create an inflammatory environment, leading to organ dysfunction. Oral Candida infections may cause temporary or permanent damage to salivary glands, resulting in the destruction of acinar cells and the formation of scar tissue. Restricted function of the salivary glands leads to discomfort and diseases of the oral mucosa, such as dry mouth and associated infection. This narrative review attempts to summarize the anatomy and function of salivary glands, the associations between Candida and saliva, the effects of Candida infection on salivary glands, and the treatment strategies. Overall, clinicians should proactively manage Candida infections by educating patients on oral hygiene management for vulnerable populations, conducting frequent checks for a timely diagnosis, and providing an effective treatment plan.

This retrospective study aims to investigate the proportion and characteristics of patients who perceive dental treatment (DT) as a cause of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs). A total of 2,302 patients with OMLs visited the Oral Medicine Department of Pusan National University Dental Hospital. The patients were divided into a study group (280 patients who perceived DT as a cause of OMLs) and a control group (300 randomly selected patients). Percentages of DT types, clinical characteristics, and the frequencies of diagnoses and chief complaint (CC) sites were analyzed in both groups. Among the patients with OMLs, 12.2% attributed OMLs to DT. Among the diagnoses, allergic reaction (AR) and traumatic ulcer/ irritation (TU) were significantly more frequent in the study group. The DT types most frequently perceived as the cause of OMLs were implants. According to patients, TU and candida occurred most frequently following denture placement (68-79%), whereas oral lichen planus and AR occurred most commonly following implant treatment (52-53%). The gingiva was significantly more frequent as the CC site in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05 for all outcomes). It is important to inform patients of the potential complications of DT and the importance of regular check-ups.

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