How Do You Effectively Treat Oral Thrush Fast?
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that occurs in the mouth. The condition is non-contagious and can be successfully treated with antifungal medications. It is also referred to as oral candidosis or candiasis because it is brought about by a group of yeasts known as Candida. Continue reading to learn how to treat thrush in the mouth in Bebington.
Symptoms of oral thrush
The symptoms associated with oral thrush include:
– Plaque (white patches) in the mouth – can most of the time be cleared off, leaving behind red sections that may end up bleeding slightly
– A burning sensation in your mouth
– Unpleasant taste in your mouth or loss of taste
– Redness inside the throat and mouth
– Cracks at the corner of your mouth
In other cases, these symptoms can make drinking and eating difficult.
When to see your pharmacist to treat thrush in the mouth in Bebington
Consult your pharmacist if you experience oral thrush symptoms. If left untreated, your mouth will carry on feeling uncomfortable and the symptoms will persist.
There is also a risk of spreading the infection further into the body in severe cases that are left untreated.
By examining your mouth, your pharmacist can usually diagnose oral thrush. Occasionally, they may order blood tests to check for conditions such as nutritional deficiencies or diabetes that may be associated with oral thrush.
What causes oral thrush?
People naturally have low levels of Candida in their mouths and digestive systems. It’s usually not a problem, but if they multiply they can cause thrush in the mouth.
There are many reasons why this takes place, including:
– Taking some types of antibiotics, especially at a high dose or over extended periods
– Taking asthma medication such as inhaled corticosteroid
– Wearing false teeth (dentures), especially if they don’t fit correctly
– Not maintaining oral hygiene
– Having a dry mouth – can be due to a medication that you are taking or a medical condition
– Smoking
– Having radiotherapy or chemotherapy to treat cancer
The risk of developing oral thrush is particularly high for babies, young children, and the elderly. This is also true for people suffering from an iron deficiency, diabetes, a vitamin B12 deficiency, HIV, and an underactive thyroid.
Oral thrush is not contagious since most people have Candida fungus in their mouth. As a result, it cannot be transmitted.
How to treat thrush in the mouth in Bebington
Antifungal medications are generally successful in treating oral thrush. In most cases, these come in the form of liquids or gels that are applied directly to the mouth (topical medications), but sometimes capsules or tablets are used as well.
Usually, topical medications need to be used a number of times a day for seven to fourteen days. For tablets or capsules, one dose is usually sufficient.
While most of these medications don’t show any side effects, some can cause diarrhoea, nausea (feeling sick), abdominal (tummy) pain, vomiting, and bloating.
You may need to change or reduce the dose of medicine if you have oral thrush caused by antibiotics or corticosteroids.
How do you prevent oral thrush?
Several things can be done to reduce your risk of getting oral thrush, including:
– Rinsing your mouth after eating.
– Quitting smoking if you are a smoker.
– Brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Ensure you use toothpaste that contains fluoride.
– Managing any underlying condition you may have, like diabetes.
– Going for check-ups by visiting your dentist frequently, even if your teeth aren’t natural or you wear dentures.
– Taking off your dentures at night, cleaning them with soap and water or paste prior to soaking them in clean water.
– Brushing your tongue, gums, and inside the mouth using a soft brush at least twice a day if you put on dentures or have few or no natural teeth.
– Paying your dentist a visit if your dentures don’t fit correctly.
You may be advised to take antifungal medication to reduce your risk of developing oral thrush. This would happen if you suffer from a condition or receive treatment that may increase your likelihood of developing it.
Conclusion on how to treat thrush in the mouth in Bebington
Ultimately, there’s no need to worry if you suffer from this condition. Various natural home remedies are available for the treatment of oral thrush, as well as a variety of medicines. Seeing a pharmacist or doctor is recommended if you suspect you might have a yeast infection, which may be brought about by an underlying health issue.
Regardless of why you have thrush, there are likely to be changes to your lifestyle that you can make or home remedies that you can use to alleviate the symptoms. You might be able to avoid the condition by simply practising good oral hygiene.
Visit us today for more information and to get treatment!
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This blog post was written on behalf of The Pharmacy Bebington by Pharmacy Mentor.