Oral Candidiasis Treatment – Natural Tips To Maintain Oral Hygiene

What Is Oral Candiasis And How To Avoid It?

Oral candidiasis most commonly known as thrush is an oral infection caused by the candida fungus. This infection is not limited to the mouth and can even occur elsewhere on the body. They may surface as diaper rashes in children and vaginal yeast infection in women. It is perfectly natural for the mouth, skin and digestive tract to have small amounts of the candida fungus. The growth of the fungus is kept in check by the bacteria and other kinds of microorganisms in the body. Sometimes though, the fungus grows out of control when the body is under stress, illness or if the person is under certain kinds of medication. Birth control pills, strong antibiotics and corticosteroids are known to upset the delicate balance along with illnesses like diabetes, HIV, cancer or even due to the hormonal changes that the body undergoes during pregnancy. People who wear ill-fitting dentures and heavy smokers are also susceptible to this condition. If a child has the infection, it may pass it onto the mother when breastfed. This infection may develop suddenly and persist over a long period of time. The symptoms of oral candidiasis are white lesions that appear slightly raised on the tongue and inner cheeks. Occasionally they may occur on the gums, roof of the mouth, throat and tonsils. These creamy- white lesions can be extremely painful and may bleed if you brush too hard and scrape them. They are, on occasion known to spread into the oesophagus causing difficulty in swallowing, a feeling of food getting stuck as you eat and sometimes fever if it spreads further. Oral candidiasis can be treated based on the extent of the infection, the age and health of the patient and so on. Treatment often involves anti-fungal medication and this will be done in consultation with both your dentist and medical physician. This condition can be kept in check by brushing your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once before going to bed and flossing at least once every day. While maintaining dental hygiene is extremely important, avoid mouthwashes and sprays as they can upset the balance of microorganisms in your mouth. Regular dental appointments are necessary in case you wear dentures and smokers are usually advised to quit as this can only aggravate the condition. Avoid food that is high in sugar and yeast content and instead go on a high fibre diet consisting of cereals, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and fruits. It is also important to drink several litres of water a day to keep the body healthy and hydrated