Oral thrush: definition, causes, symptoms and how to treat it

Definition

What is oral thrush?

Oral thrush also known as oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth caused by a fungusCandida 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 which can also be referred to as oral candidiasis also 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, another condition when oral thrush occurs is that it spreads to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, or the back of the throat.

How common is oral thrush?

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.

This is because if you have a weak immune system it can cause serious complications.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of oral thrush?

In a relatively early stage, this condition may not show any signs. However, you still have to be vigilant because it can get worse due to infection. Common symptoms of oral thrush are:

• Creamy white sores on the tongue, inner cheeks and sometimes the roof of the mouth, gums and tonsils.
• Slightly raised cuts with a cottage cheese appearance.
• 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 sores 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.

Another thing to watch out for is that you may not be aware of the symptoms of oral thrush. Depending on the cause, signs and symptoms may appear slowly or suddenly, lasting for days, weeks or months.

In addition to mouth sores that are white in color, your baby 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.

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 between feeds
• 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. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes oral thrush?

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 this protective mechanism fails, thereby increasing the number of candida yeasts and causing oral thrush infection.

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

These diseases and conditions can make you more susceptible to oral thrush infections, including:

• HIV / AIDS: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - the virus that causes AIDS - damages or destroys cells of the immune system, leaving you more susceptible to possible infections that the body can generally resist. Repeated oral thrush, as well as 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 the disease and treatments can increase the risk of candida infections such as oral thrush.
• Diabetes mellitus: If you have diabetes that is not properly managed or controlled, your saliva can contain high amounts of sugar, which increases the development of candida.
• Yeast infection of the vagina: Yeast infection of the vagina is caused by a yeast that causes oral thrush. Although yeast infection is not dangerous, if you are pregnant you can pass the yeast to the baby during delivery. As a result, your baby can experience the same condition as well.

Other causes of oral thrush include:

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

Risk factors

What increases my risk of experiencing this?

There are many risk factors for oral thrush, including:

• Infants or elderly.
• Have a weak immune system.
• Using dentures.
• 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.

Medicines & Medicines

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

How is oral thrush diagnosed?

Dentists can diagnose oral candidiasis by examining your mouth. Next, one thing you will do to look for oral thrush is to look for 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 usually treat oral thrush are usually those that have antifungal properties. This medication is usually a gel or liquid that you apply directly to the inside of your mouth (topical medication), although tablets or capsules are sometimes 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.

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 medication - or mode of delivery - may need to be changed or reduced the dose.

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.

Home remedies

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:

• Have a habit of maintaining good oral and dental health: Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day and floss at least once a day.
• Don't overuse mouthwash or spray: Use antibacterial mouthwash 1-2 times a day to keep teeth and gums healthy. Any more than that can disrupt the normal balance of microorganisms in the mouth.
• Visit the dentist regularly: Especially if you have diabetes or wear dentures.
• Limit intake of sugar and foods that contain yeast: Foods such as bread, beer and wine increase the growth of candida.
• If you smoke, quit: Ask your doctor or dentist about ways to quit smoking.

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

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.