ORAL thrush occurs when a yeast infection develops on the inside of your mouth and on your tongue. This condition is also known as oropharyngeal candidiasis.

The Candida albicans fungus causes oral thrush. A small amount of this fungus normally lives in your mouth without causing harm. However, when the fungus begins to grow uncontrollably, an infection can develop in your mouth.

Oral thrush most often occurs in infants and toddlers. It causes white bumps to form on the inner cheeks and tongue. These growths usually go away once treatment is received.

Oral thrush is typically a mild infection that rarely causes complications. However, the condition can be problematic for those with weakened immune systems.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of oral thrush can include:

• White patches (plaques) in the mouth that can often be wiped off, leaving behind red areas that may bleed slightly;

• Loss of taste or an unpleasant taste in the mouth;

• Redness inside the mouth and throat;

• Cracks at the corners of the mouth;

• A painful, burning sensation in the mouth.

In some cases, the symptoms of oral thrush can make eating and drinking difficult.

WHAT CAUSES ORAL THRUSH?

Oral thrush occurs when the Candida albicans fungus begins to grow out of control. Normally, the immune system uses good microorganisms to keep Candida albicans and other bad microorganisms under control. When this balance is disrupted, however, harmful bacteria and fungi begin to multiply. This causes an infection to develop.

Oral thrush can occur when your immune system is weakened by certain medications that reduce the number of good microorganisms that would naturally prevent infection. Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, can also damage or kill healthy cells. This makes you more susceptible to oral thrush and other infections.

Diseases that attack your immune system, such as HIV, AIDS, and leukemia, also increase your risk for oral thrush. Diabetes, another illness that affects your immune system, can also contribute to oral thrush.

If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you likely have a high level of sugar in your saliva. It’s thought that Candida albicans can then use this extra sugar to fuel its growth in your mouth.

In newborns, oral thrush can be contracted at birth. The same fungus that causes oral thrush also causes yeast infections, so pregnant women with a vaginal yeast infection can pass the infection on to their baby during delivery.

TREATING ORAL THRUSH

Oral thrush can usually be successfully treated with antifungal medicines. Medical treatment for oral thrush may consist of:

• Fluconazole, which is an oral antifungal medication.

• A clotrimazole lozenge, which is an antifungal medication that you leave in your mouth until it dissolves.

• Nystatin, which is an antifungal mouthwash that you swish around in your mouth and then swallow.

• Itraconazole, which is an oral antifungal medication used for people who are resistant to initial treatments or who have HIV or AIDS.

• Amphotericin B, which is a drug used to treat severe infections.

PREVENTING ORAL THRUSH

You can prevent oral thrush by:

1. Rinsing your mouth after meals;

2. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride and interdental cleaning (flossing) regularly;

3. Visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups, even if you wear dentures or have no natural teeth;

4. Removing your dentures every night, cleaning them with paste or soap and water before soaking them in a solution of water and denture-cleaning tablets;

5. Brushing your gums, tongue and inside your mouth with a soft brush twice a day if you wear dentures or have none or few natural teeth.

Dr Sharon Robinson DDS has offices at the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa located at Shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. Dr Robinson is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica, School of Oral Health Sciences. She may be contacted at 630-4710. Like their Facebook page, Dental Place Cosmetix Spa, for an opportunity to take advantage of weekly specials.