Causes Of Oral Thrush

Within this blog, we will be covering all the key points to know about oral thrush including the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of oral thrush.

Potential causes of oral thrush

Those with weakened immune systems are typically most at risk of getting oral thrush. Subsequently, groups such as babies, young children, and older adults are the most prone too as their immune systems are usually weakened and not operating at optimum strength.

Some further key factors which can contribute to oral thrush flourishing have been listed below:

• Certain types of antibiotics as these can destroy the bacteria in the mouth and allow oral thrush to flourish.
• Patients with conditions such as diabetes, cancer or HIV/Aids will be more likely to develop thrush than healthy individuals.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Excessive smoking.
• Utilising certain appliances such as dentures/retainers which have not been kept in optimum condition.

Oral thrush symptoms

There are many potential signs of oral thrush that you should look out for. The symptoms have been listed below, and if you believe you are suffering from one or more of them then an appointment at the dentist should be booked:

• Bad breath.
• Mouth is sore when chewing or drinking.
• Unable to swallow food comfortably.
• Noticeable cracking/redness in the corners of the mouth.
• Thick and cottony sensation within the mouth.
• Inflammation of oral tissues/gums with potential redness or soreness.
• Inside of the mouth has a whitish coating, this includes cheeks, tongue, throat, and mouth roof.
• Taste ability has been significantly reduced.

How to treat oral thrush

Treating oral thrush directly correlates to the reason the infection was instigated. In the scenario that oral thrush was caused by poorly fitted dentures then these should be replaced. If a patient is smoking excessively then this should be stopped or severely reduced, and if you are taking antibiotics, you should finish your course of treatment then stop taking them. Treatment for oral thrush can be more tough for certain individuals, for example, if you have diabetes and they will require further medical assistance to ensure their condition is controlled adequately.

As well as following the previous advice, a dentist may recommend an antifungal medication to directly deal with the oral thrush issue. The usual antifungal medication that is prescribed is nystatin, but other medication may be used to treat the condition. In mild cases the medication used will be a mouth wash or a lozenge although a more serious case may require fluconazole or itraconazole.

Ways to prevent oral thrush

Obviously, the ideal scenario would be taking as many preventative measures as possible to avoid oral thrush all together. Following the following tips will help avoiding the issue of oral thrush, whether it be getting it for the first time or getting it again in the future.

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle: This involves consuming a healthy and balanced diet which has low amounts of sugar and yeast. Additionally, you should reduce your intake of antibiotics unless completely necessary, and limit your smoking, ideally stopping all together. This is because these factors can disrupt the balance of your system and can mean you develop a tolerance to certain antibiotics thus, reducing effectiveness. It is also key that you get a good amount of regular exercise and stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Utilise a mouth rinse: Rinsing your mouth can also be valuable in preventing oral thrush, this includes commercial mouth washes or simply using warm saltwater. For those who are undertaking cancer treatments, take immunosuppressant drugs or possess chronic medical conditions, then a chlorhexidine mouthwash will be an extremely valuable part of your oral routine.
• Good oral hygiene: Perhaps the most essential part of preventing oral thrush is following good oral hygiene at all times, and on a daily basis. This involves brushing and flossing teeth a minimum of 2 times a day and following sugar consumption. You should also ensure that you visit the dentist regularly and have professional cleanings with the hygiene team at least every 6 months.
• Use well-fitted dentures: Often a key cause of oral thrush is a poorly fitted denture, which is quite common and can also cause further issues such as gum disease and mouth abscesses. This is because loose dentures create an optimum area for food to accumulate and bacteria to thrive. Subsequently, visiting the dentist and getting a well-fitted denture can be essential to avoiding future issues.

If it has been a while since your last visit to a dental hygienist, why not book an appointment today.