Oral Candida Infection (Thrush)
Oral Candida infection or oral thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth caused by the fungus Candida. The fungus can cause infections in other parts of the body as well, for example, they may cause vaginal yeast infections in women or cause diaper rashes in toddlers. But oral thrush can affect anyone, irrespective of age, sex or any health condition. However, people with certain ongoing conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy and weakened immune system are more susceptible to the Candida fungus and hence at a greater risk of acquiring oral thrush. But what causes thrush?
The fungus Candida is naturally present in the mouth, skin and digestive tracts of all human beings. In most people, the fungus is kept in control by bacteria and microorganisms in the body. However, in the event of certain health conditions, (especially those mentioned above) there are biological changes in the body. As a result, the Candida fungus starts multiplying at an uncontrollable rate, thus causing the oral thrush infection. Certain medicines (birth control pills, antibiotics and corticosteroids to name a few) are also reported to disturb the balance of microorganisms in the mouth, hence resulting in thrush.
The fungus may also start duplicating if the immune system of the body is weak. This is exactly why people afflicted with HIV-related diseases are extremely prone to oral thrush. Studies also suggest that people who smoke or wear dentures that do not fit properly, have an increased chance of developing yeast formations in the mouth. Some other conditions which reportedly aggravate the infection include stress, dry mouth and cancer.
Oral thrush attacks you suddenly, but has the ability to become chronic and persist for a long time. If you have oral thrush, you will find creamy white lesions (which are slightly raised) in your mucous linings. The lesions may also affect your tongue, inner gums, roof of your mouth, throat and tonsils. They have a characteristic 'cottage cheese' like appearance and are generally very painful. If you scrape these lesions, they may even bleed and add to your woes.
In certain extreme cases, the yeast infection may spread to your esophagus from your mouth and block the food canal to a certain extent. Hence swallowing food becomes very difficult when the esophagus gets infected. In some cases, patients have even reported fever-like symptoms. Oral thrush, because it is so painful, can cause problems when you eat food or brush your teeth.
Healthy people generally recuperate faster from oral thrush. However, people with weakened immune systems suffer for a longer period of time. There are many over-the-counter antifungal medications which can treat oral thrush. The recovery time depends on the health condition of the patient and the severity of attack. A natural way to treat thrush is by eating plain yogurt and holding it in your mouth for 30-60 seconds before swallowing. However, prevention is better than cure. So, you would do well to follow good oral hygiene practices, eat less of foods that contain sugar and yeast, smoke less frequently and avoid sprays and mouthwashes. Oral thrush is best prevented in this manner.
