What is Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush is an infection in the month caused by a kind of yeast known as Candida albicans. Mostly newborn babies are affected by this oral infection. Generally it is known that if the child or the person is exposed to factors that are instrumental in the growth of candida they are prone to oral thrush.

Factors like illness, antibiotics, viral infections and medications like steroids used for treating asthma are conducive for the growth of oral thrush. People who are not immuned to any external forces are likely to face this problem.

If you are wearing dentures be aware as candida develops if the denture is not fitted properly inside the mouth. Unnecessary pressure or scarring of any kind can damage the soft membranes inside the mouth which in turn can lead to oral thrush.

Cause Oral Thrush

The most obvious cause of oral thrush is Candida albicans. This yeast resides on either the skin of a person or inside the mouths. They generally do not cause any harm, but if the person cannot resist any external factors and becomes less immuned the yeast is likely to create problems like oral thrush.

Generally it is seen that the healthy bacteria which kills the germs is killed resulting in the growth of acidity inside the mouth candida albicans may grow causing a number of problems. Even if there is less secretion of saliva inside the mouths these yeast can take advantage of the situation.

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

If you look closely inside the pink membranes inside the mouth, you will notice yellow, white or creamy spots. These raised spots which looks like either “curd” or “cottage cheese” and are often taken as residues of milk inside the baby’s mouth are in fact the first indications of oral thrush. Generally if the spots are removed a red area is exposed which is likely to bleed.

Although these spot are mainly seen inside the mouths, they can grow inside the throats also. Mostly these spots do not pain but can hamper the feeding of the babies. As for the adults they have a burning sensation or soreness inside the throats or the mouth. Even spots can come out in the angle of the lips. If the baby is feverish a doctor should be consulted immediately as this is the indication of a serious problem which may not be limited to oral thrush only.

Oral Thrush Treatment

Once the oral thrush is diagnosed by looking at the spots which are the commonest symptoms of this disease a doctor is to be consulted. If the matter turns worse it is better to send some sample specimens to the laboratory for cross-checking. In case of predisposing cases the adults should be treated first and then the babies can undergo treatment.

Anti-fungal medicines like nystatin or miconazole are used for treating oral thrush. All these medications are found in the form of pastilles and drops which help to soothe the pain. If an older person is affected and the patient is suffering from HIV/ AIDS they can go for the systemic treatment with antifungals that are either administered orally or through veins. Patients can also develop oral thrush as a reaction to chemotherapy.

Advice

A baby who is breastfed can also have oral thrush. In those rare cases the mothers should be extra careful and apply anti-fungal cream on her nipples so that the germs are not carried inside her bodies and there are lesser chances of cross-infection.

In case of babies who are fed with bottles the bottle teats are generally prone to the yeast formation. The teats should be removed and new ones are to be installed as the yeast once formed does not usually go away so easily. Generally oral thrush once detected and if proper medication is applied gets cured. If the problem persists it is indication of any serious disease, so a thorough check-up is a must.