Oral Thrush what is it: Oral thrush is a fungal infection, which targets the mucous membrane in the oral cavity, it is caused by the fungus ‘candida albicans’. It is seen in babies as well as adults.
How does one acquire Oral thrush: As we know it caused by a fungus which is a commensal in the oral cavity, the primary reason is decrease in immunity. Some of the secondary reasons are use of antibiotics, Diabetics, Smokers, undergoing chemotherapy, under nutrition, AIDS, some people wearing dentures which do not fit properly have a continuous presence of a bleeding lesion or ulcer in the mucous membrane which acts as the site of entry of the commensal into the mucous membrane to cause the disease.
Sites Of Appearance: Commonly present on Tongue, soft palate, inner parts of cheeks, and all the parts of oral cavity lined by mucous membrane like gums, back of the mouth, oesophagus.
Symptoms (or) the clinical features: There is appearance of small white or slightly yellow spots, raised slightly above the surface of the mucous membrane they affect, they are normally painless in babies but in adults there is a burning sensation and when they are removed by scrapping they leave a bleeding lesion on the surface where they were present earlier.
Coping with the Symptoms: Thrush can make the mouth so sensitive that it is impossible to perform regular oral hygiene. So Use of a very soft toothbrush is very helpful. It can often help to rinse the mouth with a diluted solution of 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide.