Have you ever woken up with a white and painful tongue? Or noticed white patches in your mouth? If you have, you might have oral thrush. It’s a fungal infection that affects the mouth, tongue, and throat. Oral thrush is more common in babies and older adults, but anyone can develop it.
Causes of Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast. Candida is naturally present in our mouths, but certain factors can trigger an overgrowth of this yeast. Some of the common causes of oral thrush include:
- Weakened immune system
- Poor oral hygiene
- Diabetes
- Certain medications
- Smoking
- Wearing dentures that don’t fit properly
- A dry mouth
- HIV/AIDS
Symptoms of Oral Thrush
The symptoms of oral thrush can vary, but some of the common ones include:
- White patches on the tongue, gums, or inner cheeks
- Redness or soreness in the mouth and throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- A cottony feeling in the mouth
- Loss of taste
- Cracking at the corners of the mouth
Effective Treatments for Oral Thrush
The treatment of oral thrush depends on the severity of the infection. For mild cases, you can use home remedies to relieve the symptoms. These remedies include:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily
- Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater or coconut oil pulling
- Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice
- Eating garlic
- Applying tea tree oil to the affected area
- Using over-the-counter antifungal medications (e.g. miconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole)
For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe stronger antifungal medications or recommend other treatments like a liquid or lozenge containing antifungal medication. If your oral thrush is caused by an underlying condition like diabetes, curing the underlying cause should help prevent the recurrence of the infection.
Preventing Oral Thrush
The best way to prevent oral thrush is by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily
- Try oil pulling daily
- Cleaning dentures properly and removing them at night
- Quitting smoking
- Controlling diabetes if you have it
- Boosting your immune system with a healthy diet, exercise, and adequate sleep
Oral thrush is a common fungal infection that affects many people. It can cause discomfort and even pain in the mouth and throat, but fortunately, it can be treated effectively with home remedies and/or medication. Practicing good oral hygiene and keeping your immune system healthy can also help prevent oral thrush from recurring. If you think you have oral thrush, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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