Thrush is a general term for an infection of the mouth by a fungus called candida albicans. Candida is a fairly common fungus and can infect other areas of the body besides the mouth. Thrush is common in babies and in adults with weakened immune systems.
Thrush can be identified by its painful, cottage cheese appearing white lesions that form on the inside of the cheeks and tongue. These lesions may also bleed when scraped. Oral thrush can spread to the roof of the mouth, the throat and tonsils if not treated properly. Oral Thrush may cause your mouth to feel like it has a thick coating inside it and you may lose your sense of taste temporarily.
Our bodies have effective defenses against invading organisms that should not be in our bodies. However if our defenses are weakened by illness, medications or lifestyle factors these invading organisms may find an easy way in. Taking antibiotics for long periods of time, using a steroid inhaler and smoking are just a few factors that may cause a candida outbreak. Health conditions that weaken the immune system like HIV; diabetes and chemotherapy can also contribute.
Most cases of candida inside the mouth can be diagnosed simply by looking at the lesions. Your doctor may recommend increasing your intake of yogurt or taking acidophilus supplements to help your body build its own natural defenses and fight the candida. In other cases you may need a prescription medication to cure the infection. This can be a lozenge or a liquid that you swish around your mouth and swallow.
There are steps you can take to prevent a future candida infection. If you use an inhaler make sure to rinse your mouth after use. Continue to eat fresh culture yogurt daily and consider adding acidophilus supplements to your daily diet. Watch what you eat—it is suspected that candida can grow more easily in people who consume larger amounts of sugar and yeast based foods. Of course, see your dentist regularly for cleanings and check ups to find any signs of infection before they become a problem.
