Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, occurs when the fungus Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of the mouth. Dr Epimak Kayiranga, a dentist, says oral thrush most often occurs in infants and toddlers, but adults can get it too. He says it normally causes white or yellowish bumps to form on the inner cheeks and tongue, and that those bumps usually go away with treatment. The dentist explains that normally, the infection is typically mild and rarely causes serious problems. However, in people with weakened immune systems, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious complications.

Signs

In its early stages, oral thrush may not have any symptoms. But as the infection gets worse, some symptoms such as white or yellow patches of bumps on the inner cheeks, tongue, tonsils, gums, or lips may develop. Another sign, he says, is soreness or burning in the mouth. He adds that one may also develop an overgrowth of Candida albicans that cause oral thrush if one takes certain medications that reduce the number of friendly microorganisms in the body, such as antibiotics.

Dr Gonzalue Niyigaba, a dentist at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), says those who might be prone to oral thrush include people who wear dentures, especially if they are not kept clean, do not fit properly, or are not taken out before going to sleep. Also, Dr Niyigaba notes that people on antibiotics have a higher risk of developing oral thrush as antibiotics may destroy the bacteria that prevent candida from growing out of control.

According to Niyigaba, excessive use of mouthwash can also lead to oral thrush. He says people who overuse antibacterial mouthwashes may also destroy bacteria that keep candida at bay, thus increasing the risk. According to different research, long-term use of steroid medication can also increase the risk of oral thrush. In addition to this, people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop oral thrush, as well as people with diabetes, especially if it is poorly controlled.

Dr Kayiranga says that diet has also been linked to this condition, explaining that malnutrition predisposes people to oral thrush; this could be caused by a poor diet or a disease that affects the absorption of nutrients. In particular, he says diets low in iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, appear to affect infection rates.

Treatment

To treat oral thrush, Dr Kayiranga says there are some medications which can be prescribed, including anti-thrush drugs.

Alternatively, he says the patient may be prescribed a topical oral suspension which is washed around the mouth and then swallowed. "Oral or intravenously administered antifungals may be the choice for patients with weakened immune systems. Also, home remedies or lifestyle changes to help treat oral thrush can help prevent it from coming back,” Dr Kayiranga says.

Dentists advise that practicing good oral hygiene is helpful, and that this can be done by brushing the teeth with a soft toothbrush to avoid scraping the bumps caused by thrush. Replace your toothbrush after you finish your treatment for oral thrush, and properly clean your dentures if you wear them, in order to lower your risk of re-infection.