Understanding oral thrush
Before we understand what the real causes of oral thrush in adults are, it is imperative to know what thrush is. Known as Candidiasis, the medical condition is commonly known as coating on tongue. It is basically a fungi infection developed by Candida on the mouth membrane. Thrush in adults is also known as Moniliasis. However, many times babies too develop thrush and collectively both for adults and infants, it is called oral thrush.
Signs of oral thrush
A yellow or white coating on tongue is caused owing to thrush. It is evident not only on tongue but many times on inner cheeks as well. It is often painful and can lead to bleeding if not taken care. Inflation or the red appearance of mouth is often the indication of thrush. However, if the infection is too strong, it may spread to the throat and even top of the mouth.
The issues attached to white tongue, and thrush of the mouth are not major for most of the patients. But those who have a weak immunity, the thrush symptoms can be really dreadful. Thrush in adults is common amongst those who wear dentures and are on steroids for quite some time, other than the diabetic patients. Sometimes there are certain patients who have been on antibiotics for a long period of time and they too develop thrush. Medicines that dry our mouth like chemotherapy and radiotherapy are other coated tongue causes.
Thrush symptoms are many but they differ from patient to patient. Pain is one of the major primary indications of thrush. Similarly, rash is another sign of thrush. Other symptoms include white or yellow coated tongue. All the wet parts in the mouth like tongue get such deposits or get swollen. Burning sensation on such spots is another way to imply oral thrush in adults.
Many a times these deposits start to bleed because of any kind of scrapping. The yellow tongue is because of formation of plaques which again is another thrush symptom.
When does oral thrush becomes a problem?
Mostly oral thrush is not a major concern but for certain people it can get dangerous.
1. If people who wear dentures do not take care when it comes to cleanliness or go to sleep with dentures on, they may face problems with thrush.
2. People on antibiotics for long time face similar problem.
3. The bacterium that destroys Candida is often destroyed by excessive use of anti bacterial mouthwashes. Thus, if you use mouthwash more than often, you are vulnerable to adverse kind of oral thrush.
4. If any patient is on steroids for long period of time, he/ she may develop such a thrush.
5. Diabetes patients often develop thrush of the mouth that is uncontrollable.
6. Those whose immunity is weak are also likely to develop thrush that may cause problem.