Oral Yeast Infection
and Oral Candida

Learn How to Cure Candida Holistically!

Oral Yeast Infection and Oral Candida

Oral yeast infection more commonly known as thrush occurs when the fungus Candida, which is present in small amounts throughout our body grows out of control. Usually, the fungus Candida is never noticed because the bacteria flora keeps it in check. When the balance is disturbed by medications or illness, it can lead to oral thrush. Oral thrush causes white lesions on the tongue and on the inside of the cheek, it can also spread to the roof of the mouth, the tonsils and the back of the throat. Sometimes thrush can spread into the esophagus as well. Lesions in the mouth can be painful and bleed if scraped while brushing your teeth. Although thrush can happen to anyone it is most common in infants, the elderly and those with low immune systems due to illness or medications.

Infants with oral thrush usually show symptoms within the first few weeks after birth. In addition to the white lesions in the mouth, they may have some trouble feeding and may be fussy and irritable. The infant can also pass the infection to the mother during breast-feeding. If this should happen, the mother would experience unusually red and sensitive nipples, the skin will be taut around the nipple area, unusual pain during nursing, sensitive nipples between feedings and deep sharp pain in the breast.

Others that can have occurrences of oral thrush are people with HIV, cancer, diabetes and a condition called dry mouth. People with HIV and cancer have immune systems that have been compromised by medications and other therapies. With a weakened immune system, their bodies are not able to fight the infection. In those with diabetes, the saliva may contain more sugar, which encourages the growth of the Candida. The condition dry mouth disturbs the balance of the normal microorganisms of the mouth, which can cause oral thrush.

If you or your infant develop lesions see your doctor or your dentists. Thrush can usually be diagnosed by just looking at the lesions. However, on occasion it may require obtaining a swab sample from inside the mouth and looking at it under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.

If an older child that does not have any of the usual risk factors develops thrush, seek medical attention immediately. The thrush may be a symptom of an underlying condition such as diabetes. Your physician will perform a complete screening to see what is causing the thrush.

If oral thrush spreads to the esophagus, it can be serious and medical attention is important. Symptoms of esophageal thrush are pain or difficulty swallowing, the sensation that food is getting stuck in your throat and possibly fever. Your physician may ask for one or more test that will help diagnose the condition correctly.

Toddlers with oral thrush that are otherwise healthy may not require any treatment at all. Your physician may suggest that you give the child unsweetened yogurt to help restore the natural balance. The same method can be used by healthy adults. However, an anti-fungal medication may be prescribed.

In infants with thrush the infant as well as the mother are usually treated at the same time. This keeps the thrush from being passed back and forth.

In those with weakened immune systems, an anti-fungal medication is most often given. These come in several forms, including lozenges and tablets. These medications usually take 10 to 14 days to treat the thrush. Because some anti-fungal drugs can cause liver damage, the physician will probably perform blood tests to monitor the liver function.

Although oral thrush can be painful and in extreme cases, serious, it is treatable. If you seek medical attention at the first sign of lesions, you will lessen the duration and severity of the discomfort.