Life Cycle Maturation is completed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. , either intentionally or accidentally, in contaminated food or water. In these cases, worms have been found in the mucosal tissues of the lips, cheek, tongue, tonsils, gums, and occasionally esophagus.
Studies show a presence of pathogenic parasites in patients with oral periodontal disease. With nearly 50 percent of the adult population suffering from some form of gum disease, chances are you too, could be infected with parasites.
Only one parasite – the protozoan flagellate Leish- mania – can severely affect the human oral cavity and it does so indirectly by causing granulomatous growth disfigurations involving the mouth and nose.
The parasite resides inside the gingival pocket biofilm near the base of the teeth, and in periodontal pockets. It is is found in 95% of people with gum disease and rarely in people with healthy gums. Its transmission is direct from one person to another by kissing, or by sharing eating utensils.
According to recent findings by researchers from Charite–Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Entamoeba gingivalis, a unicellular parasite, which is commonly found in our oral cavities, plays a significant role in severe tissue inflammation and destruction—the hallmarks of periodontal disease.
The most common symptom is the complaint of sensation of a worm moving around the mouth, near the lips, and in the soft palate area. This movement is normally engendered by immature adult female worms. Symptoms, once noted, may continue from a month to a year if the worm is not surgically extracted.
In heavy infestations, it's possible to find worms after you cough or vomit. The worms can come out of other body openings, such as your mouth or nostrils. If this happens to you, take the worm to your doctor so that he or she can identify it and prescribe the proper treatment.
The idea of tooth worms is an ancient myth. It's been proven that worms aren't the reason behind tooth decay and cavities. The real cause is bacteria and acids, which form plaque on the teeth. You can prevent tooth decay by practicing good oral hygiene and getting routine professional cleanings.
As the term suggests, gum disease is an infection of the gums. Contrary to popular belief, however, gum disease is not necessarily a sign of poor dental hygiene but rather is indicative of bacterial and parasitic infection.
While you can't see or taste them, your mouth is home to colonies of microbes, including germs like fungus and bacteria. While most of these tiny oral bacteria are harmless—and even helpful—others can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Gas or bloating. Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus) Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva. Stomach pain or tenderness.
The signs of a parasite are often caused by the toxins that it releases into the human bloodstream. Here are the most common symptoms: Unexplained constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea or other symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You traveled internationally and got diarrhea on your trip.
Adult worms may live up to 17 years in the human body and can continue to make new microfilariae for much of this time.
Symptoms of Gum Infections
One of the primary symptoms is that gums will be red and swollen. They will also be tender to the touch. While gingivitis may result in some minor swelling or darkening of the color of the gums, an infection will result in even more swelling and deeper redness.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth.
Should You Be Worried? “While it is widely acknowledged that infections with some parasites can cause significant complications, not all parasites are cause for concern. Some symptoms caused by parasites can clear up on their own, and individuals with a healthy immune system may not experience any symptoms.
Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease triggered by the infection of the periodontal sulcus by microbes. Together with the abundant eubacterial microbiota, at least two parasites have often been identified: the amoeba Entamoeba gingivalis and the flagellate Trichomonas tenax.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums. Dusky red or dark red gums. Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
Giardia is arguably the most common parasite infection of humans worldwide, and the second most common in the United States after pin-worm. Between 1992 and 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that more than 2.5 million cases of giardiasis occur annually.
Threadworms lay their eggs around an infected person's anus (bottom), usually at night. Along with the eggs, the worm also secretes a mucus that causes itching. If the eggs get stuck on the person's fingertips when they scratch, they can be transferred to their mouth or on to surfaces and clothes.
Contrary to the notion that parasites avoid the oral cavity, an increasing body of literature now claims that E. gingivalis and T. tenax are in fact quite common.
People get cysticercosis when they swallow T. solium eggs that are passed in the feces of a human with a tapeworm. Tapeworm eggs are spread through food, water, or surfaces contaminated with feces. Humans swallow the eggs when they eat contaminated food or put contaminated fingers in their mouth.
The main oral infections caused by helminths include four roundworm (trichinosis, trichuriasis, filariasis, and larva migrans) and three tapeworm infections (cysticercosis, sparganosis, and echinococcosis). Cases are mainly encountered in endemic areas and mainly present a benign clinical picture.
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
This test is a procedure in which a tube is inserted into the mouth (endoscopy) or rectum (colonoscopy) so that the doctor, usually a gastroenterologist, can examine the intestine. This test looks for the parasite or other abnormalities that may be causing your signs and symptoms.
Lagochilascariasis is mostly a chronic human disease that can persist for several years, in which the parasite burrows into the subcutaneous tissues of the neck, paranasal sinuses, and mastoid.