How exactly does oral thrush happen and who’s most at risk for getting this infection? Here we detail what you need to know about this oral health condition including the most at-risk people and its treatment.

What Causes Oral Thrush?

Candida is actually a type of fungus that normally doesn’t cause problems in the body [1].
However, certain factors can cause candida to become rampant, which can then cause issues such as infections.

There are numerous factors that can cause oral thrush, including prolonged antibiotic use, treatment for cancer via immunosuppressive therapy, and poor oral hygiene.

Oral thrush can cause infections in the mouth, throat, and even the esophagus. Oral thrush can present as white patches in the mouth, redness or tenderness in the mouth, loss of taste, and cracks at the corners of the mouth, which can be painful.

Who Is Most at Risk for Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is common in babies as their immune system isn’t fully developed yet and not able to ward off an overgrowth of candida [2]. Babies and people who have compromised immune systems are the most likely to get oral thrush.

Oral thrush is also common in people who are pregnant, those who smoke, people who
experience chronic stress, and others who have suppressed immune systems [3].

People who have dry mouth may also be more likely to get oral thrush, as are people who have dentures, especially if the dentures aren’t properly cleaned or removed as directed by your dentist.

How Oral Thrush Is Treated

Oral thrush is treated with antifungal medicines. This will usually be a liquid that you’ll either rinse out your mouth with or apply directly to your mouth. However, your doctor may also prescribe capsules you can take orally to help treat your thrush.

Treatment for oral thrush can last up to two weeks [4]. If you or your child has been diagnosed with oral thrush, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions for healing so you can treat thrush right the first time and not have it return!

Are you concerned about your risk for oral thrush? You can talk more with your doctor or your child’s healthcare provider about oral thrush. Fortunately, the condition usually isn’t considered to be serious and is relatively simple to treat, provided you follow your doctor’s instructions!

Sources:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html
2. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/thrush.html
3. https://www.medicinenet.com/thrush/article.htm
4. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/oral-
thrush-in-adults

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If You Have Bad Breath…

The tongue can harbor plaque and bacteria just like the rest of our mouths, but since the tongue is
constantly bathed in saliva, moving against certain foods, and cleaning itself, the plaque and bacteria don’t gather on the tongue in the same way they do in the small spaces between our teeth or on the surfaces of our teeth. However, if you have bad breath, the tongue might actually be housing a lot of the bacteria that could be causing your bad breath. Many people find brushing their tongue helpful when it comes to bad breath, especially in the morning. If you find that brushing with a tooth brush makes you gag, there are certain “tongue scrapers” that you can buy. While these are not necessary for optimal oral health, you may want to consider these if you have bad breath or an unpleasant taste on your tongue from certain foods. Usually, the taste from certain foods will go away quickly as the tongue cleans itself, but for certain foods like garlic, salmon, or onions, the taste may unpleasantly linger. Bad breath can also be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay, so remember to always get routine check-ups with your dentist!

Is it Necessary?

Cleaning your tongue is not strictly necessary as long as you keep your mouth clean. This means
brushing at least once a day, flossing once a day or between meals as necessary, and visiting your
dentist. Brushing your tongue is optional. The bacteria on the tongue can spread back to the teeth and gums after brushing if the tongue is not itself brushed, but as it takes at least 24 hours for plaque to form in your mouth, you should be fine as long as you’re brushing once a day. Remember that it’s the quality of your brushing that matters over quantity—no use in brushing your teeth several times a day if you are missing the same areas every time, therefore allowing plaque to build up! Your dentist can talk with you about which areas are being missed in your mouth when brushing just by examining your teeth during your check-up.

While many people give their tongue a quick scrub, it’s not wholly necessary. If you have bad breath or frequently eat foods that feel like their taste “clings” in your mouth, you may find it helpful to brush your tongue along with your regular brushings. As always, healthy oral hygiene consists of brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist!

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Bad breath is caused by bacteria. Chronic bad breath is usually a sign of gum disease, which requires treatment from a dentist. Everyday bad breath can be controlled by brushing and flossing your teeth to remove food particles. Bacteria can also cling to your tongue, so if you aren’t brushing it or using a tongue scraper, you may still have bad breath even after brushing and flossing.

There are several different types of tongue scrapers available. You can use a toothbrush to clean your tongue, but toothbrushes are designed for teeth, while tongue scrapers are designed for the shape of the tongue. A common type of tongue scraper is made of stainless steel. This type is gentle on the tongue, but effective at gathering bacteria. You use it by swiping it over the surface of your tongue, starting at the back and pulling towards the front.

Some people find brushing their tongue with a toothbrush or bristled tongue cleaner to be uncomfortable, but brushing can help to scrape off bacteria. If you choose a brush for your tongue, use a soft-bristled one.

Plastic tongue cleaners are usually smaller than metal ones. Some people have a problem with larger metal tongue scrapers triggering their gag reflex. A smaller plastic tongue scraper may work better if you have this problem, or you can work on overcoming your gag reflex with a metal scraper or toothbrush by practicing placing it as far back on your tongue as you can without gagging, then gradually placing it farther back little by little.

You should remember that chronic bad breath is usually a sign of gum disease and cannot be cured by at-home oral hygiene. Regular dental exams can catch gum disease early and provide dental cleanings to combat bacteria and plaque buildup. Tongue scrapers can help to remove bad breath that’s caused by foods or beverages and are a good addition to your daily oral hygiene routine.

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White tongue

A white tongue can be sign of a condition called leukoplakia. This is an excess of cell growth that is not actually dangerous, but sometimes it is a sign of cancer forming. Leukoplakia can also be caused by using tobacco products or because your tongue has been irritated.
Oral thrush also causes white tongue. Oral thrush is a yeast infection, and can be treated by eating plain yogurt or with medications.
White lines on your tongue may be oral lichen planus. Doctors and dentists do not know what causes this condition, but it usually goes away on its own without treatment.

Red tongue

A tongue that is too bright pink or red could be a sign of vitamin deficiency, particularly vitamin B-12. A peculiar condition that is called geographic tongue because it involves reddish spots on the tongue that look like a map is harmless and usually goes away by itself. If you have a red tongue accompanied by fever, you could have Scarlet Fever. You should see a doctor immediately because Scarlet Fever must be treated by antibiotics. Children under the age of five can develop Kawasaki syndrome, a blood vessel disease that is indicated by a red tongue and fever. If treated early, Kawasaki syndrome usually has no long-term negative effects.

Black tongue

Black, hairy tongue sounds and looks terrible, but it is usually harmless. It involves bacteria attaching papillae, the small bumps on the tongue. Good oral hygiene can prevent this from occurring. A healthy tongue should be pink at most times. Any unusual coloration of your tongue that you cannot attribute to a food or beverage warrants a visit to a doctor or dentist. Any unusual bumps, sores or markings on your tongue or inside your cheeks should be checked on as well.

Contact your dentist for any additional questions- and remember to keep your mouth healthy and happy.

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