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Ever noticed a peculiar white rash on your tongue? Know all about oral thrush, a yeast-based candida fungus

If you see a strange, white rash inside your mouth, be alerted as it may be an oral condition known as thrush, also known as oral candidiasis. Caused by the fungus candida, thrush is common in babies and people with low immunity, however, it is highly contagious. Read on to know all about this oral ailment, which if not treated well in time can swiftly spread to other areas of the body, increasing the infection.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Updated Jan 10, 2023, 13:26 IST

Thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is an ailment that causes Candida albicans to accumulate on the lining of your mouth areas

New Delhi: While brushing, do you ever notice small, creamy-white bumps in your mouth? Well, these are not life-threatening situations but nothing less than that when it comes to your oral health.

Oral thrush is a fungal infection you can spot in your mouth, which happens mostly in children, but can happen to anyone with low immunity levels. Thrush can quickly become irritated and cause mouth pain and redness.

Thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is an ailment that causes Candida albicans to accumulate on the lining of your mouth areas, including the tongue and cheeks. It causes white lesions and spreads fast to the gums, mouth roof, and even to the back of your throat.

Despite being a minor problem, oral thrust can become severe and uncontrollable if not checked and treated well in time.

What causes oral thrush?

For many people, Candida fungus in the mouth, digestive tract, and skin is normal, and since it grows very fast you may not come to know when it becomes difficult to control.

According to health experts, it is normal for a small amount of fungus to live in your mouth, without causing any major harm. But when your immunity is down and compromised, the fungus can grow out of control.

It causes various illnesses and disturbs body balance leading to thrush. The fast-growing infection is more likely to develop in people who suffer from:

Diabetes
Anemia and low iron in the blood
HIV/AIDS
Cancers of different kinds
Later stages of pregnancy due to hormonal changes
Smoking
Poor oral hygiene

Several cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can damage or kill healthy cells in the mouth. This makes you more susceptible to oral thrush and other infections. Diabetes and chronic high blood sugar levels contribute to oral thrush as well as uncontrolled diabetes weaken your immune system.

Also, according to oral health experts, thrush can be contagious and can pass on through kissing, close contact, or even sharing personal items like a toothbrush.

Signs and symptoms

A few signs and symptoms of thrush that you may notice are:

Redness and soreness inside your mouth
Loss of taste
A bad feeling in the mouth
Bleeding from the lesions
Burning in the mouth
While yellow spots
Pain and difficulty in swallowing
Fever due to infection
A feeling of heaviness in the chest
A feeling that food gets stuck in your throat

Home remedies for oral thrush

Apart from the medicines that your doctor may have prescribed to treat oral thrush, a few remedies and lifestyle changes can be applied to help stop it from increasing or coming back:

Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush twice daily
Replace your toothbrush after you finish your treatment for oral thrush
Properly clean your dentures to lower the risk of a spreading infection
Avoid mouthwashes or mouth sprays
Do not share oral instruments
Rinse your mouth with salt water and baking soda daily
Eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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