What is Black Fungus?

Black fungi is a type of fungal infection caused by certain moulds. It can start as a skin infection and spread to the sinuses, lungs, and even the brain.

The COVID-19 virus has resulted in the emergence of several new diseases. Black fungus is one of the most rapidly growing infections during COVID-19 recovery.

Dirty equipment, like oxygen masks, can also cause it. Simple dental hygiene can reduce the risk of black fungus.

Symptoms of Black Fungus

Some of the symptoms of black fungus are:

• Discoloration of oral tissues, tongue, and gums
• Stuffy nose
• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Heaviness below the eyes
• Fever, and
• Headache

How Does Black Fungus Affect Us?

• Mucormycetes, tiny organisms found in soil, leaves, and waste, cause the disease.
• It starts as a skin infection on the forehead, nose, cheekbones, eyes, and teeth, then can spread to the lungs, eyes, and even the brain.

How to Prevent Black Fungus?

• Maintain Oral Hygiene
• Brushing
• Flossing
• Mouthwash
• Oral Rinsing
• Disinfecting Toothbrush and Tongue Cleaner

Maintain Oral Hygiene

• After recovering from COVID-19, using steroids and medicines can create conditions for bacteria or fungus to grow in your sinuses, lungs, or brain, causing issues. Brushing twice daily and regular cleaning can prevent this.
• Not maintaining good oral hygiene can lead to cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. These are treatable with dentist visits or over-the-counter medications. Stick to a daily routine for proper oral hygiene.

Brushing

• Brushing your teeth is the cornerstone of a beautiful smile. It's probably the first step in your dental hygiene regimen.
• The two minutes can be divided into 30-second intervals between each quadrant (upper and lower right and left sides). Brushing twice a day should be done in the morning and at night.

Flossing

• Flossing should be a regular part of your oral hygiene routine at night.
• By flossing before bed, you can remove plaque and food bits from between your teeth.
• Flossing during the day, on the other hand, leaves a space between your teeth where additional plaque and food particles might accumulate.

Mouthwash

• Rinsing is the next step in your dental hygiene programme.
• Antiseptic mouthwash not only promotes fresh breath but also aids in the prevention of hazardous bacteria.
• Mouthwash is a simple technique to maintain proper dental hygiene because the results are instant.
• Your breath will be notably fresh, and your mouth will feel visibly clean.

Oral Rinsing

• According to experts, patients must maintain good dental health after recovering from COVID-19 to protect themselves against the disease's negative effects.
• Once a patient has tested negative, it is recommended that they change their toothbrush so that the virus that may be present on the previous brush does not re-infect them.

Disinfecting Toothbrush and Tongue Cleaner:

• According to experts, a COVID-infected patient or someone who has recovered from it should not store their brush in the same holder as other members of their household. It may raise the risk of the virus spreading to others.
• Cleaning the brush and tongue with an antibacterial mouthwash is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions