Some infections, such as candidiasis, affect different parts of the body. Many people believe that candida only affects the vagina, but this fungal infection also affects the mouth, resulting in a condition called oral thrush. Oral thrush is a fungal infection that usually appears as white creamy spots on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or roof of the mouth. Oral thrush occurs in 2% to 5% of newborns. It also affects adults for a variety of causes. This article focuses on understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment of oral thrush.
Symptoms of Oral Thrush
As previously stated, the primary signs of oral thrush are white creamy spots on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or the roof of the mouth. Other additional signs of this disorder are:
- Soreness
- Redness in the affected areas
- Cottony feeling in the mouth
- Difficulty eating and swallowing
- Loss of taste
Causes of Oral Thrush
Oral thrush develops when bacteria and fungi in the mouth are out of balance. Candida albicans, a type of yeast, is naturally present in the mouth in small amounts. However, certain factors might upset this balance, causing candida to overgrow in the mouth. Some of these factors include:
Weakened immune system: A weakened immune system can occur for a variety of reasons, including an illness such as HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy, or the use of immunosuppressive medicine. This reduces the body’s ability to regulate candida, making a person more vulnerable to oral thrush.
Dry mouth: Did you know that saliva reduces the growth of bacteria, including Candida, in the mouth and washes away food particles? Dehydration or possibly a medicine you’ve taken could lead to dry mouth. Less saliva means that the mouth is less able to control the amount of candidiasis.
Inhaled Corticosteroids: Often used to treat illnesses including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), corticosteroid inhalers have the potential to foster the growth of Candida in the mouth.
Antibiotics: The main purpose of antibiotics is to fight germs in the body. Antibiotics can occasionally destroy harmful bacteria as well as healthy bacteria, which helps control the amount of yeast in the body.
Note: Certain groups of individuals are vulnerable to oral thrush. These include diabetic people, both adults and newborns, and those with weakened immune systems.
Treatment for Oral Thrush
Treatments for oral thrush are typically directed at the fungus that causes the condition. The doctor or pharmacist can prescribe various types of medication, such as lozenges (suckable), liquid suspensions, or creams. This drug either prevents fungus growth or just destroys it.
Oral thrush can also be caused by an underlying health problem, such as diabetes. So, if the doctor can identify the underlying cause of a patient’s oral thrush, tackling it can prevent the fungus from growing and stop the infection from spreading. Proper oral health is also not negotiable; practicing it will limit the amount of fungus in the mouth.
Furthermore, eating less sugary or yeasty meals could assist you overcome this condition. Avoiding foods high in yeast can help prevent fungal growth.
Conclusion
Many people believe that candida only affects the vagina, but this fungal infection also affects the mouth, resulting in a condition called oral thrush. Oral thrush is a fungal infection that usually appears as white creamy spots on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or roof of the mouth.
Oral thrush develops when bacteria and fungi in the mouth are out of balance. Candida albicans, a type of yeast, is naturally present in the mouth in small amounts. However, certain factors like a weakened immune system, dry mouth, antibiotics etc might upset this balance, causing candidates to overgrow in the mouth. Treatment for oral thrush is typically directed at the fungus that causes the condition. The doctor or pharmacist can prescribe various types of medication, such as lozenges (suckable), liquid suspensions, or creams. This drug either prevents fungus growth or just destroys it.
