These bacteria live in balance, working together to keep your mouth healthy and free from infection. But bacteria that sit comfortably in your body may not be so welcome in someone else's bloodstream.

Having an itchy mouth is most often a symptom of cold sores, yeast infection in the mouth, or a food or pollen allergy. You should see your doctor for a diagnosis and to find out your treatment ...

If the candida yeast spreads to your mouth and throat, it can cause an infection called oral candidiasis, or oral thrush. It’s most common in newborns, older adults, and people with weakened ...

Exactly how oral bacteria affect your overall health is still poorly understood, Dr. Bray said, since the existing research is limited and no studies have established cause-and-effect.

1. Gum infections. If you don't brush and floss your teeth regularly, bacteria can build up in your mouth and cause gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis.. These diseases inflame your gums ...

But after infections with viruses like SARS-CoV-2, that messed up taste in your mouth can stick around for some time. (And as a reminder, antibiotics are useless for viruses, so don’t bother ...