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Do you have white or yellowish bumps in your mouth? Wiping off the white patches causes it to bleed?
What is Oral Thrush? - is result of a yeast or fungal infection inside the mouth.
- Also known as oral candidiasis or thrush.
Appearance and Symptoms - white or yellow patches inside the mouth
- may or may not bleed
- burning or sore sensation in the mouth
- loss or a bad taste in the mouth
- difficulty swallowing
Location - inner cheeks of the mouth
- tongue
- tonsils
- gums
- inner lips
Causes - overgrowth of fungus in the mouth due to antibiotics
- immune system is suppressed from sickness
- chemotherapy
- Diabetes
- contagious from infected person
Affected Group and Risk factors: - Babies , toddler and older adults are more prone to thrush.
- Dry mouth conditions increases risk
- Diabetic patients
- Denture users
- Smokers
Treatment - oral antifungal medications
- Oral antifungal lozengers and or drops
Prevention and lifestyle adaptations - Use soft toothbrush during the thrush
- Replace toothbrush after the thrush
- increase probiotic intake
- consume more yogurt to assist recovery
- Use a healthy balanced diet
- Practise good oral hygiene
- If using dentures, clean properly before and after use.
Complications - Yeast infections in other parts of the body
- vaginal infection from patient with oral thrush if performing oral sex
- penile infection from patient with oral thrush if performing oral sex
- fungal infection to newborn if mother has vaginal yeast infection during natural childbirth
- fungal infection to newborn if mother has breast or nipple yeast infection during breast-feeding
- Can spread to the esophagus
- Can lead to systemic candidiasis and cause septic shock
All these and more are available at Health First pharmacy...visit us for all your health needs first...talk to us first!!! |
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