Dental Health and Thrush
Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by the candida fungus, also known
as yeast. Candida infection is not limited to the mouth; it can occur in other
parts of the body as well, causing diaper rash in infants or vaginal yeast
infections in women.
Thrush can affect anyone, though it occurs most often in babies and
toddlers, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Thrush Treatment
While healthy individuals can be effectively treated for thrush, the symptoms may be more severe and difficult to manage in those with weakened immune systems. Antifungal medications, which are generally taken for 10 to 14 days, are often prescribed to treat thrush. These medicines are available in tablets, lozenges, or liquids. Your dentist will have a specific treatment approach designed for you based on your age and the cause of the infection. Because the presence of candida infection can be a symptom of other medical problems, your dentist may suggest you seek care from a medical doctor as well so that any underlying health problems you may have can be treated.
What causes thrush?
Small amounts of the candida fungus are present in the mouth, digestive
tract, and skin of most healthy people and are normally kept in check by other
bacteria and microorganisms in the body. However, certain illnesses, stress, or
medications can disturb the delicate balance, causing the fungus candida to
grow out of control, causing thrush.
Medications that upset the balance of microorganisms in the mouth and may
cause thrush include corticosteroids, antibiotics, and birth control pills.
Illnesses or medical situations that make candida infection more likely to
develop include uncontrolled diabetes, HIV infection, cancer, dry mouth, or pregnancy (caused by the
hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy). People who smoke or wear dentures
that don't fit properly also are at increased risk for thrush. In addition,
babies can pass the infection to their mothers during breast-feeding.
What are the symptoms of thrush?
Thrush usually develops suddenly, but it may become chronic, persisting over
a long period of time. A common sign of thrush is the presence of creamy white,
slightly raised lesions in your mouth—usually on your tongue or inner cheeks—but also sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums, tonsils, or back of your
throat. The lesions, which may have a "cottage cheese" appearance, can
be painful and may bleed slightly when you scrape them or brush your teeth. In
severe cases, the lesions may spread into your esophagus, or swallowing tube,
causing:
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- A feeling that food gets stuck in the throat or
mid-chest area
- Fever, if the infection spreads beyond the esophagus
Thrush can spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs, liver,
and skin. This happens more often in people with cancer, HIV, or other
conditions that weaken the immune system.
Next: How is thrush diagnosed? »
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