Yeast infection in the mouth: features

Definition

What is that

Oral thrush Also known as oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth caused by a fungus Candida albicans which accumulates in the lining of the mouth. This condition is not contagious and can usually be treated with anti-fungal drugs.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, oral thrush or a condition also known as oral candidiasis, which causes white lesions to appear. Usually, the lesions or abnormal tissue in your mouth are white in color and are on the tongue or inner cheek area.

Sometimes the infection results oral thrush it can spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, or the back of the throat.

How common

This condition is very common and can occur in patients of any age. Oral thrush generally affects more women than men. Not only in adults, oral candidiasis is also common in infants as well as toddlers.

This mouth disorder can be treated by reducing risk factors because it is relatively rare to cause other serious problems. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms

In the early stages, this condition may not show any signs. However, you still have to be vigilant because the condition can worsen due to infection. Common symptoms of oral thrush is:

• Creamy white sores on the tongue, inner cheeks and sometimes the roof of the mouth, gums and tonsils.
• Slightly raised wounds with a cheese-like appearance cottages.
• Redness or pain that is severe enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing.
• Slight bleeding if the wound rubs.
• Cracking and redness at the edges of the mouth (especially in denture users).
• Feeling like there is cotton in the mouth.
• Loss of taste.

In severe cases, the wound can spread to the esophagus - a long, muscular tube that runs from the back of the mouth to the stomach (Candida esophagitis).

When this happens, you may have difficulty swallowing or feel like food is stuck in your throat.

Depending on the cause, signs and symptoms may appear slowly or suddenly, lasting for days, weeks or months.

In addition to white mouth sores, babies with this condition may have difficulty breastfeeding or become fussy. Babies can pass the infection to the mother while breastfeeding. The infection can be re-transmitted between the mother's breast and the baby's mouth.

You can prevent oral yeast infection in your little one, in the following ways:

• Keep clean and sterilize baby toys.
• Sterilizes milk bottles and baby feeding equipment.
• Always maintain the cleanliness of the baby's mouth by routinely cleaning the remnants of milk on the baby's tongue with sterile gauze soaked in warm water.

Women whose breasts are infected with candida may experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Red, sensitive, cracked or itchy nipples.
• Shiny or peeling skin around the nipple (areola).
• Unusual pain while breastfeeding or sore nipples when breastfeeding.
• Deep pain in the breast.

There may be other signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult a doctor.

Cause

What causes

Normally, the body's immune system works to ward off harmful organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, and maintains a balance between the "good" and "bad" microbes that are in your body.

However, sometimes these protective mechanisms fail, thereby increasing the number of candida yeasts and causing infection oral thrush.

Oral thrush and other candida infections can occur when your immune system is weakened by a disease or from drugs such as prednisone (corticosteroid), or when antibiotics upset the natural balance of microorganisms in the body.

These diseases and conditions can also make you more susceptible to infection oral thrush, among others are:

• HIV / AIDS
  The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, can damage or destroy cells in the immune system and make you more susceptible to possible infections that your body can generally resist. Oral thrush recurrences and other symptoms can be an early indication of an immune deficiency, such as HIV infection.
• Cancer
  If you have cancer, your immune system is more likely to weaken from disease and from treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Both disease and treatments can increase the risk of candida-like infections oral thrush.
• Diabetes mellitus
  If you have diabetes that can't be managed or controlled properly, your saliva can contain high amounts of sugar and promote the development of the candida fungus.
• Yeast infection of the vagina
  Yeast infection of the vagina is caused by the causing yeast oral thrush. Although yeast infection is not dangerous, you can pass the yeast to your baby during delivery. As a result, your baby can experience the same condition too.

Another cause of oral thrush include:

• Take antibiotics, especially long-term or in high doses
• Using an inhaled corticosteroid medication for asthma
• Using dentures, especially if they don't fit properly
• Poor oral hygiene
• Having a dry mouth, either because of a medical condition or medication
• Smoke
• Undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer

What increases my risk of experiencing this?

There are many risk factors for oral thrush, including:

• Infants or elderly
• Have a weak immune system
• People who wear dentures, especially if they are not kept clean and are not removed before bed
• Have other health conditions, such as diabetes
• Take certain medications, such as antibiotics or oral or inhaled corticosteroids
• Have chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer
• Have a condition that causes dry mouth
• Excessive use of mouthwash

Lack of nutrients, including deficiencies of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to diagnose

Dentists can diagnose oral candidiasis by examining your mouth. Next, things will be done to see oral thrush is seeing certain white sores on your mouth, tongue, or cheeks.

Brushing gently can reveal red, painful areas that could bleed a little. Microscopic examination of the wound tissue can confirm the diagnosis.

Thrush that spreads to the esophagus may require other tests for diagnosis. Tests can include:

• Throat culture by wiping the back of the throat with a sterile cotton swab and testing for microorganisms under a microscope.
• Performing an endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine - examining the lining of this area of ​​the body with a camera at the end of the tube through those areas.
• Take an X-ray of your esophagus.

What are the treatments for oral thrush?

Medicines that treat oral thrush are usually those with anti-fungal properties. This medication is usually a gel or liquid that you apply directly to the inside of your mouth (topical medication), although sometimes tablets or capsules can also be used.

Then, topical medications usually need to be used several times a day for 7 to 14 days. Although they usually don't have side effects, sometimes some people experience nausea, vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain as well as diarrhea.

Doctors will usually treat this yeast infection in the mouth with drugs such as nystatin and miconazole in the form of a gel or drops. You can also be given lozenges or a solution to wash the oral cavity that can be swallowed.

Drinking drugs or drugs that are given by injection are only given to patients with certain cases, for example, who have a very weak immune system. Your dentist can perform certain steps tailored for you based on your age and the cause of your infection.

If an antibiotic or corticosteroid is suspected to be causing oral thrush, the drug or method of taking the drug may need to be changed or reduced in dosage.

Since candida infection can be a symptom of other medical problems, your dentist may advise you to seek medical help from a doctor so that the underlying problem can be resolved.

Prevention

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to overcome it?

The following are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with oral thrush, including:

• The habit of maintaining good oral and dental health. Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day and floss at least once a day.
• Do not use mouthwash or spray excessively. Use an antibacterial mouthwash 1-2 times a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. More than that, its use can actually disturb the normal balance of microorganisms in the mouth.
• See your dentist regularly, especially if you have diabetes or are wearing dentures.
• Limit your intake of sugar and foods that contain yeast. Foods such as bread, beer, and wine can increase the growth of candida.
• If you smoke, try to quit. Ask your doctor or dentist for advice on how to quit smoking.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.