Image source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh7KRCmt9E_ymqt7DIQa7tXzDTfli9D3m2qXd0Iz1O0cixof6b6uftF23SU3jIQ0Xa_3mUpcHgud-XQZkZR9_PQVPbsBOccKW22oCHGO0ruIyBw54LEhdP1BKKmRKM4VOgtJ6WSxIh9GH/s1600/larry+marshall+2.jpg
Causes of oral thrush:
Babies can develop oral thrush if their mothers had an active yeast infection during delivery. It will show as white patches inside the mouth and can be painful. The baby may refuse to eat because of the pain. Yeast infection in the mouth of babies is easily treated with Nystatin drops.
If the mother chooses to breastfeed, she is at risk for infection of the breast, which can lead to pain and bleeding. She can opt to pump her breast, putting her milk in bottles instead of breastfeeding until the baby's infection has cleared up.
In adults, performing oral sex on a person who has a yeast infection can cause yeast infection in the mouth. Treatment for oral thrush in adults usually consists of anti fungal mouthwash that is swished around in the mouth then swallowed. This will effectively treat thrush that occurs in the throat. Anti fungal throat lozenges are also used to treat yeast infection of the mouth.
People diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk for yeast infection of the mouth. One of the risk factors for yeast infection is weakened or compromised immune systems. Symptoms of oral thrush in an adult include white or yellow raised spots in the mouth, that if scraped off leave a red sore accompanied by some bleeding.
Other instances that can compromise the immune system and cause oral thrush include cancer, diabetes, use of medications such as antibiotics and drugs that prevent rejection of transplanted organs. Anti rejection medications act to reduce the immune system's ability to view transplanted organs as foreign invaders. This helps to prevent rejection.
The pain of oral thrush makes it difficult to carry out dental hygiene. Using a soft oral swabs can help. The good news this usually clears up after a few days of anti fungal treatment.
Oral thrush can also be an indication of oral cancer.
Denture wearers are at risk for oral thrush as well. Wearing dentures will always equate with having oral yeast.
Other symptoms of oral thrush include painful swallowing and fever.
If you think you have oral thrush, it is important to get medical help as soon as possible to prevent complications, such as yeast infection spreading to the throat.
