What is Maggot disease?
Maggots: Larva of a fly (Dipteria)
Maggot Disease (MYASIS) is a rarely seen disease caused by infestation of human tissue by larvae of houseflies (Maggots). Oral myiasis is still more “rare” and “unique” , because our mouth rarely provides the necessary habitat conducive for a larval lifecycle.
Why do people get Maggots in their mouth?
There are few reasons of it; a) Accidental myiasis, when larvae are ingested along with food. b)When there is unhealed wound or necrotic tissue. c) Bad oral hygiene, and in contact with contaminated food/ fruits. d) Others; Mouth breathers, alcoholism, senility, in oral and maxillofacial traumas or in old age groups especially mentally handicapped persons, low socioeconomic status, immunocompromised state, debilitated, and unhygienic living conditions may also act as predisposing factors
Male predilection of occurrence has been noted because of their more outdoor activities and neglecting the oral hygiene when compared to the female counterpart.
What are the treatment for this?
If you have the problem, see your doctor immediately. Your dentist will numb the area. Then he will remove the infected site such as tooth or nectrotic tissue and Maggots from your mouth (minor oral surgery) and put stitches to close back the wound. Normally, if the Maggots , have been removed completely, the wound/ infected side will heal eventually without much complications.
ASKDENT: This is a rare disease of the mouth. (So far, I've not seen one in my dentist life yet) But it is good to know that having good oral hygiene is always the best way in preventing any mouth problems.
