What is Oral Thrush? How to Get Rid of It?

When a yeast infection develops on the inside of your mouth or tongue, this is referred to as oral thrush. Other terms for this include, oral candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, and thrush.

Oral thrush is caused by the Candida albicans fungus. A small, harmless amount of this fungus is naturally found in your mouth. However, if the fungus begins to manifest in your mouth it can cause an infection to form.

Infants and toddlers are more susceptible to oral thrush. If you have oral thrush, you will notice white bumps on your inner cheeks and tongue. This typically fades once you receive treatment at your Winnipeg dental clinic.

In most cases, oral thrush is mild and hardly causes complications, although it can be worrying if you have a weak immune system.

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Thrush?

In the beginning, oral thrush may not cause you to experience any symptoms at all. Once it progresses and the fungus continues to reproduce, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Painful bumps on your tongue, inner cheeks, gums or tonsils that are a cream colour
• Minimal bleeding when the bumps are scraped
• Dry or cracked skin on the corners of your mouth (angular cheilitis)
• Difficulty when you swallow
• A bad taste in your mouth

Visit your dental office in Winnipeg if you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms.

Infants with oral thrust may present the following:

• Feeding difficulties
• Fussiness
• Irritability

If your baby has oral thrush, it can be transmitted during breastfeeding. If you contract the fungus while breastfeeding your child, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Nipple pain, sensitivity or severe itching
• Shiny or flaky skin surrounding your nipple
• Intense pain when breastfeeding your child
• A sharp, or penetrating pain in your breast

What Causes Oral Thrush?

When the C.albicans fungus begins to grow rapidly it causes oral thrush to develop. Oral thrush can form if your immune system is weakened from taking particular medications. These medications lessen the number of good microorganisms in your body which help to prevent infection. In addition, cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation can harm or kill healthy cells. As a result, you become more prone to oral thrush and other infections.

Diseases like, leukemia and HIV that attack your immune system, also make you more disposed to oral thrush.

Patients with diabetes can also develop oral thrush as it affects the immune system, especially if their diabetes is uncontrolled. This is because patients with diabetes have high sugar levels in their saliva which C.albicans feed off. Your dentist will review your medical records during your appointment at your dental office in Winnipeg.

Although it is uncommon, babies can be born with oral thrush if their mothers pass a yeast infection to them during birth.

Who’s at Risk for Oral Thrush?

When it comes to developing oral thrush, babies and toddlers are the highest at risk. In addition, people with a weak immune system are also at higher risk for oral thrush. This includes people who:

• Suffer from HIV, diabetes or anemia
• Suffer from an illness that causes dry mouth (xerostomia)
• Take antibiotics or corticosteroids
• Seek treatment for cancer, including, chemotherapy, radiation, and drugs
• Have dentures
• Smoke

How is Oral Thrush Diagnosed?

If you suspect you have oral thrush, visit your Winnipeg dental office. Your dentist can examine your mouth for the distinguishing white bumps.

If required, a biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. During a biopsy, a doctor will scrape a small amount of the bump and will send it off to a laboratory for further testing.

Medical Treatment for Oral Thrush

If you are diagnosed with oral thrush, you may need to use one of the following treatments:

• Antifungal medication: Fluconazole, is an antifungal medication taken orally.
• Antifungal mouthwash: Nystatin, is an antifungal mouth rinse.

Home Remedies

• Create a saltwater solution and rinse your mouth with it. To make the solution combine ¼ teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water.
• Have some unsweetened yogurt to restore and maintain normal levels of good bacteria in your mouth.
• Carefully brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush, do not scrape the lesions. Be sure to replace the toothbrush once the oral thrush treatment is completed.
• Clean your dentures thoroughly and soak them overnight.
• Avoid using mouth rinses or mouth sprays that aren’t prescribed to you.