An oral yeast infection is a prime example of the body producing too much of a good thing. What occurs naturally in the mouth (yeast) begins to multiply and overstays its welcome. There are clear causes of oral yeast infection as well as options for treatment that include both prescription and natural remedies. Here’s what you should know.
What is an oral yeast infection?
The fungus candida albicans is a naturally-occurring yeast in the mouth. Oral yeast infection, also known simply as thrush or candidiasis, develops when an overgrowth of candida albicans happens.
How is oral thrush contracted?
For healthy individuals, naturally occurring yeast in the mouth usually does not turn into a yeast infection. The body naturally regulates build-up and controls natural yeast.
This is not the case for everyone. People with compromised immune systems or other underlying conditions are more likely to have a breakdown of this natural balance that results in an oral yeast infection.
Is oral thrush contagious?
Oral thrush is not contagious except in one specific incidence.
Breastfeeding babies with thrush can transmit the infection to their mothers, resulting in challenges in breastfeeding.
Who is most at risk for thrush in the mouth?
Certain populations are more at risk for developing thrush in the mouth. These include:
- Newborns
- Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- People with HIV/AIDS
- Tissue or organ transplant patients
- Those experiencing dry mouth as a side effect of disease, aging, or medications
- People with full upper dentures
- People taking steroids or antibiotics
- Diabetes patients with severe symptoms
As noted, oral thrust develops mostly in those with weakened (or not fully developed) immune systems. Healthy children, young adults, and healthy adults do not generally experience oral yeast infection.
What are common oral yeast infection symptoms?
Oral yeast infection symptoms are distinctive and vary in severity from person to person. They include:
- White lesions that appear on the tongue and inner cheeks (less frequently on the roof of the mouth, gums, and tonsils)
- Lesions that may be slightly raised and look like cottage cheese
- Redness, burning, or soreness that can create challenges when eating, drinking, or swallowing
- Minor bleeding when lesions are rubbed
- Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth
- “Cotton mouth” (dryness)
- Loss of taste
- Redness, irritation, and pain under dentures (denture stomatitis)
These symptoms can even spread down into the esophagus, making swallowing (and thus eating and drinking) painful or nearly impossible.
Symptoms of oral thrush in breastfeeding mothers
Breastfeeding mothers who contract thrush from their babies may experience other symptoms related to this infection, including:
- Red, sensitive, cracked, or itchy nipples (beyond normal irritation when first breastfeeding)
- Shiny or flaky skin on the areola (area around the nipple)
- Pain during nursing or painful nipples between feedings
- Stabbing pains deep within the breast (as the yeast infection progresses)
These symptoms can be so painful that nursing mothers choose to wean their children, but treatment is possible.
How to get rid of oral yeast infections
For people whose immune systems are already compromised, untreated oral yeast infection can lead to widespread, systemic yeast overgrowth.
If you are experiencing an oral yeast infection, the following oral thrush treatments can help.
Address underlying medical conditions
If there are underlying medical conditions present, the first step to treating oral yeast infection is to treat that condition.
If you don’t treat the underlying medical conditions, it can be challenging to address thrush.
Utilize antifungals
You may need prescription antifungals to treat more severe or well-established oral yeast infections. These can be used as a rinse or applied topically.
For more severe cases where the yeast infection has become systemic, ingested antifungals may be necessary. Some antifungals that have good success in treating oral yeast infection include gentian violet (applied topically) and fluconazole (ingested).
Fluconazole is taken once daily for 14 days and does come with side effects. Fewer than 5% of people experience side effects that are intestinal in nature (upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea) but not usually serious enough to discontinue treatment.
Gentian violet does not present side effects but it is generally less effective than fluconazole.
Treat nursing mothers concurrently
As a baby’s yeast infection is treated, the mother’s infection must also be addressed.
Nursing mothers can use antifungal medications topically. Changing nursing pads and wearing clean nursing bras can also help. You should properly clean and sterilize any bottles or nipples.
Try natural remedies
Natural remedies may not have excessive research behind them, but many have anecdotally found success in treating oral yeast infection.
These are the top five natural remedies for thrush:
- Pure, virgin coconut oil (caprylic acid) applied topically
- Plain, whole-fat yogurt, eaten and applied topically
- Applying a diluted concentration of apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil to affected area
- Swabbing thrush-infected nipples with diluted white vinegar
- Applying a baking soda paste to infected nipples
The good news is that these remedies for thrush are affordable and have no side effects. If they can help relieve the symptoms of yeast infection while preventing further growth of candida, give them a try.
Prevent symptoms proactively
Knowing that you have risk factors for oral yeast infection means you can take proactive steps to prevent it.
If you know you are at risk, these additional preventive measures can help.
- Rinse your mouth frequently
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily
- Take care of your dentures, including cleaning them regularly and removing them at night
- Visit the dentist twice annually
- Eat a diet low in sugar, as sugar provides food for candida
- Work to get your diabetes under control
- Treat dry mouth
If your oral yeast infection requires an emergency dentist (or just a weekend dentist) in the Phoenix area, AZ Dentist can help. Give us a call today!