OVERVIEW
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| Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the oral mucosa caused by Candida species. |
Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the oral mucosa caused by Candida species. It is the most common human opportunistic fungal infection of the oral cavity. It is uncommon in people other than infants, denture wearers, the elderly, immunocompromised or smokers. In otherwise healthy people, oral thrush may be the first presentation of an undiagnosed risk factor, such as HIV infection, cancer, diabetes, anaemia.
This blog post explains the facts about oral thrush and how to keep your mouth healthy
Candida may also occur in people who are treated with inhaled corticosteroids for asthma or rhinitis, in immunocompromised patientsand following a course of antibiotics.Thrush occurs in up to 2-5% of newborns as it is acquired from their mothers at birth and may appear as early as 7-10 days old. Use of antibiotics especially in the first year of life may lead to recurre infection. It is uncommon in children older than 1 year old unless related to antibiotic use.
Symptoms
- Superficial, white/yellow curd-like areas on lips, buccal mucosa, tongue and/or palate, which can be easily removed to reveal an underlying red base that, is not usually painful.
- Removal of plaques may cause mild bleeding which helps confirm diagnosis.
- May cause cracked, red, moist areas on skin at the corners of the mouth.
- May be asymptomatic ormay cause pain.
- May cause a cottony feeling in the mouth and loss of taste.
- May cause restlessnessand a decrease in feeding in infants.
- Under denture plates may manifest as erythema with no plaques.
Causes
Under normal physiological state, your immune system works to prevent harmful invading organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, while maintaining a balance between "good" and "bad" microbes (normal flora) that normally inhabit your body. But sometimes these protective mechanisms fail thereby increasing the number of candida fungus and allowing an oral thrush infection to take hold.
The most common type of fungi that causes oral thrush is the Candida albicans. Several factors, such as a weakened immune system, chemotherapy and use of heavy metals may increase your risk of oral thrush.
Risk factors
You may have an increased risk of oral thrush infection if any of these issues apply:
Weakened immunity. Oral thrush is more likely to occur in infants and older adults due to reduced immunity. Some diseases and their treatments can suppress your immune system, such as cancer and its treatments, organ transplantation and required drugs that suppress the immune system, and HIV/AIDS.Diabetes. . Vaginal yeast infections are usually caused by the same fungi that causes oral thrush. A mother can pass the infection to her baby as the baby passes through the birth canalr .
Treatment options
- Anti-fungal medications
- practicing good oral hygiene to help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery.
- Reduce sugar in your diet and include probiotic-rich foods like yorghurt to restore the natural balance in your mouth.
Complications
Oral thrush is a serious problem for healthy children and adults.
Many people with lowered immunity, such as from cancer treatment or HIV/AIDS, thrush can be more serious. If left ntreated, oral thrush can lead to more-serious systemic candida infections affecting multiple organs in the body. If you have a weakened immune system, thrush may spread to your esophagus or other parts of your body.
Prevention
The following are tips that may help reduce your risk of developing candida infections:
10 Simple Tips
1. Brush and Floss Regularly
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
3. Stay Hydrated
4. Manage Stress
5. Avoid Harmful Habits
6. Clean and Disinfect
7. Visit Your Dentist
8. Probiotics to the Rescue
9. Choose Gentle Mouthwashes
10. Boost Your Immune System
Additional Tips for Infants and Breastfeeding Moms
- Clean and dry pacifiers and bottle nipples
- Wash hands frequently
- Avoid sharing pacifiers or utensils
- Monitor infants for white patches or fussiness