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Oral Thrush - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

Last Updated: Jul 20, 2021

What is Oral Thrush?

When C.albicans fungus begins to grow beyond control inside the mouth, people get affected with oral thrush. In general out immune system is fortified with good microorganisms that are capable of keeping C.albicans and similar bad microorganisms at a bay. However, when this precarious balance gets disrupted, harmful fungus and bacterium starts multiplying in our body, causing illness and infections, which often need medical treatments.Oral thrush, occurs when our immune system gets weakened by certain medications that diminishes the count of good microorganism that were capable of resisting infections naturally. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy and others are some of the medical procedures that kills healthy microorganisms in our body, which makes us susceptible to infections like oral thrush.

Diabetes is another disease that hampers the immunity factors in the body. So if you have high level of sugar in your saliva, it can lead to oral thrush, as C. albicans fungus use this excess of sugar element inside the mouth to grown and manifest this disease.

Apart from this, oral thrush can be also contacted at birth. Pregnant women with vaginal yeast infection can pass the infection to their newborn babies during normal birth.People those who use dentures, smoke too many cigarettes or had a recent organ transplant surgery are also vulnerable of getting them affected with this disease.

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Since this is an uncomplicated disease, doctors are able to diagnose this illness simply by examining the patient’s oral cavity and tongue, for identifying the oral thrush related typical white bumps.In other instances, doctors can take a biopsy, by scrapping off a very small portion of the white bumps and send it to laboratory for finding the presence of C.albicans fungus in the biopsied tissue.If you get infected with oral thrush in your esophagus, doctors can advise for a throat swab culture and an endoscopy for accurate diagnosis of the disease.Treatment of this disease depends on the patient’s age and overall health, whereby the ultimate purpose of the treatment is to prevent the growth of the C.albicans fungus in the mouth.

Oral antifungal medications are mostly prescribed to the patients for curing this disease.

Why won't my Oral Thrush go away?

The treatment of oral thrush is generally based upon stopping the cause that started it. Maintaining good oral hygiene plays a key role that can be achieved by rinsing the mouth using an antifungal mouthwash for up to 2 weeks.

In case, the creamy whitish lesion persists or recurrently occurs, it clearly states the severity of the infection, and in such a case seeking medical advice would be a good option.

Treatment

Oral antifungal medications are mostly prescribed to the patients for curing this disease.

Some of the kitchen remedies for treatment of this disease consists of using saltwater mixture to rise the mouth and eating unsweetened yogurt that enhances the count of good bacterium in the oral cavity.Patients suffering from oral thrush, are advised not to use mouthwash and spray while being affected with this disease. Also using a soft brush, and changing the brush everyday (till the disease is cured) is another home remedy for curing this disease.

Some of the kitchen remedies for treatment of this disease consists of using saltwater mixture to rise the mouth and eating unsweetened yogurt that enhances the count of good bacterium in the oral cavity.Patients suffering from oral thrush, are advised not to use mouthwash and spray while being affected with this disease. Also using a soft brush, and changing the brush everyday (till the disease is cured) is another home remedy for curing this disease.

What causes Oral Thrush in adults?

Oral thrush, also known as ‘’Oral Candidiasis’’ is a fungal infection caused by a group of fungus i.e Candida, specifically Candida Albicans. The occurrence of the fungus in the mouth or digestive system in low numbers is quite normal but its multiplication can lead to infection.

Factors responsible for this include poor oral hygiene, taking antibiotics over a long period of time, corticosteroid inhalation, smoking, chemo-or radiotherapy, dry mouth, wearing dentures, etc.

Can Oral Thrush make you feel ill?

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that occurs in the mouth and extends up to the throat. Individuals with compromised immune systems or under certain medical conditions such as diabetes, HIV, hypothyroidism, anaemia, etc. are prone to the infection. Young children with their immunity at a forming stage are at risk.

Oral thrush usually gets controlled by maintaining oral hygiene with the use of antifungal mouthwash but can lead to severe illness if left untreated.

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Is Oral Thrush a serious condition?

The severity of oral thrush depends upon two factors i.e extent of growth of the fungus and immunity of the individual. If the fungus overgrowth occurs i.e besides the inner lining of the mouth, tongue, or cheeks, if the roof of mouth, tonsils, and throat are affected, it is a serious condition.

On the other hand, low immunity individuals such as young children, old-aged people, and persons with certain health issues and suppressed immunity are likely to get affected more severely than others.

Does Oral Thrush make your breath smell?

The causative agent of Oral thrush i.e Candida occurs in a healthy mouth naturally. But due to certain reasons, its overgrowth may lead to fungal infection. White, creamy plaque gets formed in the mouth, tongue, or inner surface of cheeks which may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, or throat.

This leads to a build-up of germs within the mouth in the form of a coating resulting in persistent bad breath.

What foods to avoid if you have an Oral Thrush?

Though it is yet to be proved that treatment of candidiasis is related to diet, however, Candida diet is preferred to be followed in this condition. That includes the restricted intake of the two most common dietary components i.e sugar and carbohydrates which are supposed to stimulate the growth of the fungus Candida albicans.

Candida diet is also believed to boost-up the immune system which is the very first factor to be responsible for the infection.

References

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Written ByDr. Vikram Singh AtwalPCAD,MCID Implant,BDS,Advanced AestheticsDentistry
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