🔅 Oral thrush or oral candidiasis is a fungal infection of the mouth caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans.
– Candida is normally present in the mouth, but sometimes it can overgrow and cause symptoms.
– Oral thrush can affect anyone, but it is more common in babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems or certain health conditions.
Possible causes of Oral Candidiasis
– Some of the possible causes of oral thrush are:
• A weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or other conditions.
• Antibiotics or corticosteroids that affect the natural balance of microbes in the mouth.
• Inhaled steroids for asthma or other respiratory diseases.
• Poor oral hygiene or denture use.
• Dry mouth due to medications or medical conditions.
• Smoking.
• Pregnancy or hormonal changes.
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Thrush
– Some of the signs and symptoms of oral thrush are:
• Creamy white lesions on the tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums, or tonsils.
• Redness, soreness, or burning in the mouth.
• Difficulty eating or swallowing.
• Bleeding if the lesions are scraped or rubbed.
• Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth
• A cottony feeling or loss of taste in the mouth
• Bad breath.
In severe cases, the infection may spread to the esophagus and cause pain, difficulty swallowing, or the feeling of food stuck in the throat.
Diagnosis of Oral Thrush
– To diagnose oral thrush, a doctor or dentist may:
1). Examine the mouth to look at the lesions.
2). Take a small scraping of the lesions to examine under a microscope.
• Do a physical exam and blood tests to check for any underlying medical condition that may be the cause of oral thrush
3). If the infection is in the esophagus, do a biopsy, endoscopy, or X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment & prevention of Oral Thrush
– To treat oral thrush; a doctor may prescribe:
1). Antifungal medications that come in various forms, such as: lozenges, tablets, liquids, or creams. These medications kill the fungus and prevent it from spreading. They should be taken as directed until the infection clears up.
2). If topical medications are not effective or if the infection is severe, systemic medications that work throughout the body may be given orally or intravenously.
3). If oral thrush is caused by an underlying condition, such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS, treating that condition may also help to clear up the infection.
– To prevent oral thrush; you will have to follow some simple tips which will help you in a great deal. They are as follows:
• Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and rinsing with salt water or antiseptic mouthwash.
• Replacing toothbrushes often and not sharing them with others
• Disinfecting dentures and removing them at night.
• Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
• Drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier or saline spray to keep the mouth moist.
• Eating yogurt or taking probiotics to restore the balance of good bacteria in the mouth.
• Controlling blood sugar levels if diabetic.
• Rinsing the mouth after using inhaled steroids for asthma.
