If you wake up every morning and are met with a strange, white film coating the inside of your mouth, you might be wondering what could be causing this to happen. This sticky, disgusting layer of film is called oral thrush, and it’s normal to want to rid your mouth of the foul substance as quickly as possible! Read on to learn more from your dentist about what causes oral thrush, along with some measures you can take to address it and maintain good oral health.
What Is Oral Thrush?
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that develops on the tongue and roof of the mouth, but it can also occur in the throat and spread to other parts of your body. The infection is caused by the Candida fungus – a naturally occurring yeast inside your body. While this fungus is usually kept in check by other bacteria, mitigating factors sometimes cause it to grow out of control.
Known risk factors of oral thrush include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Stress
- Dry mouth
- Hormonal changes from pregnancy
- HIV
- Cancer
- Diabetes
Any change in your immune system can potentially make the yeast grow. Furthermore, your mouth is a dark and damp environment that provides ideal conditions for the fungus to thrive. Children and older adults are usually more susceptible, too.
Can I Address Oral Thrush Myself?
Oral thrush fortunately tends to go away on its own. However, there are several ways you can actively prevent and manage fungal overgrowth:
- Practice good oral hygiene – This is the best way to prevent oral thrush, in addition to other oral health problems. Brush and floss your teeth every single day, and your oral thrush should clear up within a couple of weeks.
- Drink plenty of water – Candida fungus can also thrive if your mouth is too dry, so drink plenty of water to encourage your mouth’s natural flow of saliva.
- Limit your consumption of sugary foods – Foods containing sugar as well as yeast can also encourage fungal overgrowth.
- Consider home remedies – There are some useful home remedies that can combat oral thrush, including rinsing with salt water, a baking soda mix, or even turmeric.
What If My Own Efforts Aren’t Enough?
If the methods above don’t address the white stuff, you’ll need to get professional help. That means contacting your primary care provider or (if you have one) an ENT specialist.
Aside from oral thrush, a specialist can also rule out other potential causes of the white film. Key examples of these are:
- Precancerous or cancerous lesions – Certain mouth-related lesions, both cancerous and not, are known to sometimes cause a white film.
- Burning Mouth Syndrome – A condition that mainly causes a burning sensation in one’s mouth, but which can also contribute to a white film.
- Geographic Tongue – An ailment that makes harmless patches form on the top and sides of your tongue.
Oral thrush can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, and it certainly isn’t something that you have to live with! If you’re concerned about oral thrush and brushing isn’t addressing the issue, you should speak with your dentist about additional treatment options.
About the Practice
Bell Road Dental Care proudly serves patients and families in the Phoenix area under the leadership of three skilled specialists: Dr. Reema Patel, Dr. Reza Jafari, and Dr. Sierra Ferreira. Together, they combine years of experience and expertise to provide an elite level of care for all their patients. Their practice is pleased to offer many available services, including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options. If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health or would like to schedule a visit, you can contact the practice online or by phone: (602) 404-3483.