What Is Oral Thrush and How Can I Treat It?

Close up of a person's mouth while a dentist in Tamiami checks the gums

Oral candidiasis, often known as oral thrush, is a fungal infection of the mouth and throat. It is caused by Candida albicans, a form of yeast that is naturally present in minute levels in the mouth. According to dentists in Tamiami, candida can overgrow and cause an infection when the immune system is compromised or the balance of microorganisms in the mouth is altered. If you want to learn more about this condition, here’s everything you need to know.  

Close up of a person's teeeth and swollen gums that need treatment from a Dentist in TamiamiEverything You Need to Know About Oral Thrush 

Therapy for Oral Thrush 

Doctors may prescribe anti-fungal medications like drops, gels, or tablets, like nystatin or miconazole. An alternative is for a doctor to recommend an oral, topical suspension. An individual must wash the solution around their lips for a few minutes before swallowing it or spitting it out to receive this treatment (depending on the formulation).  

Depending on the severity of the oral thrush, a healthcare provider will recommend one of the following treatment choices:  

Moderate Oral Thrush

A doctor might advise taking clotrimazole troche 10 mg five times per day. A person swallows a tablet called a clotrimazole troche, slowly dissolves in the mouth. Five milliliters of oral nystatin suspension administered four times per day is an additional alternative.  

Moderate to Severe Oral Thrush  

For 7–14 days, a doctor may advise fluconazole 200 mg once, followed by 100 mg once daily. This drug will be consumed orally by the patient. Alternatives for treating oral thrush include taking 200 mg of itraconazole orally once daily for 28 days. Posaconazole suspension 400 mg twice a day for three days, then 400 mg once daily for 28 days.  

Remedies at Home for Oral Thrush  

The likelihood of the illness getting worse can be lowered by doing the following in addition to medical treatment:  

  • Mouthwash with salt water  
  • Eating plain yogurt to restore good bacteria levels  
  • Using a soft toothbrush to prevent scraping the lesions  
  • Using a new toothbrush every day until the infection has cleared up

Close up of a person with bleeding gums that needs a dentist in TamiamiAre You Looking for a Dedicated Dentist in Tamiami?   

At Tamiami Dental Center, our team can help treat gum-related diseases and relieve pain and irritation. Give us a call to learn more about our services!