Fungal infection can spread everywhere- from head to toe, our entire body is susceptible to a fungal infection, even our mouth. Yes, fungus is one of the main causes of an oral infection and the most common fungal infection of the mouth is called oral thrush or oral ablicans. The disease is caused by Candida ablicans- a fungus from the Candida family and can hit people of all ages. According to dentists in Diamond Bar, if not treated immediately, oral thrush can spread and cause severe damage to the mouth.

 

 

Causes:

The main cause of oral thrush is the growth of Candida ablicans. Now why and how the fungal growth occurs differs from people to people. Diamond bar dentists believe that a bad oral hygiene is not the main cause of oral thrush- as believed by many people. People who have an unsanitary lifestyle coupled with a bad oral hygiene might develop oral thrush but it is people with weak immune system who are more likely to develop oral ablicans. Our body has a natural flora of microorganisms because of which, it has a natural immunity towards various types of bacteria and fungi. However, people who have a weak immunity fail to withstand an infection.

Oral thrush can also occur in people who consume excessive alcohol or are heavy smokers. However, another major cause of oral thrush is a reaction to certain medication. Medicines having corticosterones, antibiotics and birth control pills disturb the natural balance of microbial flora, lowering the immunity.

Symptoms:

Oral thrush manifests suddenly without any earlier symptoms. Which means that you can wake up one morning and find your mouth covered in lesions. These lesions, which are white in color are the main symptom of oral thrush. They start appearing on the tongue and spread towards the palette, cheeks, throat and lips. These lesions are accompanied with symptoms like swollen and bleeding gums, pain in the jaw, weakness and fever. According to Diamond Bar dentists, because fungi feeds on the nutrients you obtain from food, you might experience severe weakness during the infection. You will also have trouble chewing and swallowing.

Treatment:

Although the lesions of oral thrush are different, sometimes they might resemble complex canker sores. In order to ensure that there is a fungal infection, the dentists in Diamond Bar first take a swab from the sores and test it for infection. Once the infection is diagnosed the dentists then check how much the infection has spread. Then, based on how far the infection has spread and what is the age of the patient, a dentist prescribes antifungal medication in different doses. If the infection is widely spread, the dentist would prescribe a heavy dose of medication for more than a week. However if the disease is at an early stage, the dosage might be mild. Anti-fungal medication might be administered orally, in the form of an ointment or via injection. Along with antifungal treatment, antibiotics might also be prescribed.

Oral thrush spreads as fast as it appears, so if you find irregular lesions in your mouth which are spreading, you should immediately contact your dentist in Diamond Bar.