Oral Thrush
Oral thrush, also known as Candidiasis, is a fungal infection that affects the mouth and throat. It is caused by an overgrowth of the yeast known as Candida. This is a fungus that naturally occurs in the human body.
Symptoms of oral thrush
- White or yellow patches on the tongue, cheeks, or gums.
- Soreness on the insides of the mouth.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- A loss of taste.
- Redness and cracking at the corners of your mouth
- Possibility of bleeding
There are numerous factors that can increase a person’s likelihood of developing oral thrush.
These include:
- A weakened immune system due to chronic illness/ fatal diseases/ malnutrition or chemotherapy.
- Use of certain medications, such as antibiotics or corticosteroids
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Dentures that are not removed before bed/ not properly cleaned.
It is advised that if you suspect that you may have oral thrush, you should seek immediate assistance from your dentist.
Treatment and Prevention
- Antifungal medication- this can be taken orally or applied topically.
- You will have to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing and using a dentist approved mouth rinse regularly.
- Avoid smoking.
- Visit both the dentist and the oral hygienist once every 3-6 months depending on the extensiveness of your case.
It is important to note that while oral thrush is not considered a serious condition- it can be more severe in individuals with lower immunity levels. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body which could lead to more serious health complications.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!