Everything you need to know about oral thrush

Has this ever happened to you? You wake up one morning, look in your mouth and you notice white patches on your tongue that weren’t there before. What could it be?

Chances are it’s something called “oral thrush”.

But what is oral thrush? And is it dangerous?

Don’t worry, because, in this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and more. By the end, you’ll know everything you need to know about oral thrush.

What is oral thrush?

Oral thrush is a type of yeast infection. Specifically, it’s caused by a fungus called Candida. The most common Candida species that cause oral thrush is Candida albicans, but Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis can cause it too.

Oral thrush occurs on the tongue and the inside of the mouth. It looks like whitish or cream-coloured patches.

Is oral thrush dangerous?

For most people, oral thrush is not dangerous, so there’s is no need to worry. What’s more, it goes away quickly when treated.

However, with people with weakened immune systems, the symptoms of oral thrush can be much more severe. Special treatment is needed in these cases.

Who gets oral thrush?

Oral thrush can happen to anyone, but it’s most common in children, the elderly, diabetics and people with weakened immune systems.

People taking antibiotics also often get oral thrush, because antibiotics kill all bacteria in the mouth, creating an opportunity for thrush to grow.

How is oral thrush treated?

Treatment of oral thrush is usually straightforward. Doctors typically prescribe an anti-thrush drug such as nystatin or miconazole. The patient takes the drug orally in the form of drops or a gel. Anti-thrush drugs are very good at killing yeast infections and they typically have no side effects on your body.

In rare cases when anti-thrush drugs don’t work, doctors might use a medication called amphotericin B. However, this is only as a last resort because it can cause side effects such as fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Are there any home treatments for oral thrush?

It’s always best to see your doctor if you have oral thrush. However, while you wait for a doctor’s appointment, here are some remedies you can try at home to stop the thrush from getting worse.

Rinse your mouth with saltwater. Salt kills yeast, so rinsing your mouth with salt water is a good way to fight the yeast infection.
Eat probiotic yoghurts. Probiotic yoghurts, which are yoghurts with good bacteria in them, will help to restore the levels of healthy bacteria in your mouth.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we’ve discussed the topic of oral thrush. We hope you feel more confident about this subject and that we’ve cleared up any doubts you had.

Remember, if you think you have oral thrush, it’s best to go to see a doctor.

But if you have any other doubts or questions about your oral health, then come see us. We would love to see you! Don’t be shy – call today and make an appointment with one of our dentists.