Oral thrush, also called oral candidiasis or oropharyngeal candidiasis is a mouth condition that is caused by a fungal or yeast infection. It occurs when a fungus called Candida albicans accumulates in your mouth. It appears as creamy white patches on your tongue, the lining of your mouth or inside your cheeks. It usually happens to people with low immune systems, especially people with HIV and leukaemia. Its symptoms include loss of taste, a cottony feeling in your mouth, redness, sores, and difficulty swallowing. This blog will explain the causes of oral thrush and its symptoms.
What Are The Causes Of Oral Thrush?
- Immune system weakness: A healthy immune system keeps the Candida albicans fungus stabilised, but if the immune system is not strong due to conditions such as chemotherapy or HIV, it excessively grows, causing oral thrush.
- The use of Corticosteroids causes oral thrush: Inhaled steroids for conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and asthma increase the development of oral thrush.
- The use of certain medication: The use of medication such as antibiotics can kill the bacteria that monitor candida fungus, then increases the growth of candida albicans, leading to oral thrush.
- The use of dentures: Using dentures can increase the growth of fungus that causes oral thrush if they are poorly cleaned or not the right size.
- Age also contributes to oral thrush development: Oral thrush is common in infants and elderly people because their immune system is not yet fully developed, and also due to immune system strength depreciation due to age.
- Diabetes patients: Higher sugar levels in saliva can create an environment that allows Candida to grow, which ends up causing oral thrush.
- The conditions that cause dry mouth: The conditions that cause dry mouth, such as Xerotomia, cause a lack of sufficient saliva, which allows the growth of fungus that causes oral thrush.
- Smoking: Smoking also contributes to the development of oral thrush.
What Are The Symptoms Of Oral Thrush?
- Loss of taste: Oral thrush leads to taste loss in food or a bitter taste of saliva.
- Having difficulty in swallowing or eating: If oral thrush spreads severely in the mouth or the throat, it causes difficulties in eating and swallowing because of the pain.
- Dry mouth feeling: Oral thrush may lead to the loss of saliva, causing a dry mouth that feels uncomfortable.
- Painful sores: Oral thrush can cause painful red sores that cause intense pain, with a burning sensation and discomfort.
- Bleeding: If the white patches or red sores are scraped, even by a toothbrush during brushing, they may start bleeding.
- White patches: White patches on your tongue, inner cheeks, or the lining of your lips are a sign of oral thrush.
Conclusion
Oral thrush is a condition that is treatable with oral rinses and anti-fungal medicines. It is very common in immunosuppressed people, such as infants and the elderly. But timely medical treatment helps in better treatment before it spreads too much and starts causing bleeding. As soon as you start seeing oral thrush symptoms like white patches, red sores, a bitter saliva taste or when everything becomes tasteless, get immediate help. If you care about your dental health, book an appointment with our specialist, Dr Priya Verma, at Smile Zone Dental Clinic for a healthy smile.
FAQs
Q1: Can oral thrush be treated easily?
A: Oral thrush can easily be treated with anti-fungal medication and oral rinse mouth washes.
Q2: Is oral thrush contagious?
A: Yes, oral thrush is contagious because it is caused by a fungal infection that can be passed from one person to another through kissing or breastfeeding.