Coping With Oral Thrush

10 September 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Articles


There are many health issues that can impact your mouth — some common, some you might have never heard of. If you are experiencing odd lesions in your mouth that hurt a bit when touched, you might be experiencing oral thrush. You should know what oral thrush is, how it presents and how it can be treated in order to be able to quickly return back to optimal oral health.

What Is Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush is a simple mouth infection caused by candida, which is more commonly known as yeast. Candida is not simply a phenomenon that can occur in the mouth. Rather, it can also occur in areas such as the vagina, which causes the phenomenon more commonly known as a yeast infection.

Thrush can happen to anyone, but it usually occurs to toddlers and the very young. Candida, in small amounts, exists on the surface of the skin of every person. However, it is usually in trace amounts and therefore not an issue. The amount of candida can be exacerbated and spread to the mouth for a number of reasons, however, such as stress, or various forms of immune deficiency.

What Are The Symptoms Of Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush usually develops quite quickly, seemingly out of nowhere. However, the issue can become chronic if not sufficiently treated within a short period of time. Perhaps the most common sign of oral thrush is the presence of a creamy white lesion that usually forms on the inner portion of the cheek, but can exist in other areas, such as the tongue, the roof of your mouth, gums or even on the tonsils.

The lesions can take on the appearance of cottage cheese and may be slightly painful when brushed; also, when brushed, the lesions may tend to bleed a bit. It is important to consult with your oral hygienist as soon as possible when these lesions form, as they have a tendency to spread to other part of the body if not treated.

What Treatments Exist For Oral Thrush?

A number of treatments exist for oral thrush and it can be quite easy to treat in children and healthy adults, although it is generally considered a more difficult proposition for those with immune deficiencies, such as HIV.  The most common form of treatment is antifungal medications. These are given by prescription only and usually taken once every 10 to 14 days.

There are a variety of formats in which you can take these prescriptions, such as through pill, tablet, gel, liquid or lozenges. It is highly recommended that if you experience oral thrush symptoms, especially the creamy white lesions, you visit your dentist or oral hygienist as soon as possible. There is no better treatment that seeking the skills and methods of an individual who is highly trained in treating such matters.

What Can My Dentist Do?

A dentist will be your best friend in the event that you contract oral thrush. He or she, in addition to being able to prescribe you the right medicine for the phenomenon, can also recommend further treatment; this includes everything from home remedies to serious oral intervention. This is especially the case if you so happen to be an individual with an immune deficiency problem. A dentist can also adequately diagnose the problem, just in the case that is not oral thrush. If the problem is oral thrush, a dentist can explain to you the underlying cause for experiencing this phenomenon.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of oral thrush it is best that you get in to get treated right away. The sooner you start to combat oral thrush, the sooner it will go away and your oral health will return to normal. Check out go to websites for more information.


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