Oral thrush, or oral candidiasis, is an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. It is also referred to as a yeast infection and is caused by the same fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections. Candida albicans is a fungus that may normally exist in the mouth and other parts of the body; it is usually kept in check from overgrowth by a healthy immune system and good bacteria in the body. However, in certain situations when the immune system is weakened or good bacteria is not present, the fungus can multiply and lead to issues.

Causes of Oral Thrush

The most common populations affected are infants, the elderly, and the immunosuppressed. While oral thrush is common in infants and typically resolves within a couple weeks, in children and adults it can indicate an underlying condition or a weakened immune system.

The following can be risk factors for oral thrush:

• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer or chemotherapy treatments
• Medications such as steroids, antibiotics, and birth control pills
• Dentures, particularly ones that don’t fit well
• Smoking
• Dry mouth
• Pregnancy and associated hormonal changes
• Stress

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

Signs of oral thrush typically include white lesions and sores in the mouth, as well as a white coating on the tongue and pain. The sores can affect not only the mouth but the surrounding areas. In more severe or advanced cases, the infection can spread to the esophagus and other systems of the body.

If babies have oral thrush and are breastfeeding, they can spread the infection to the mother’s breasts, which causes skin irritation and sensitivity.

Treatment for Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is typically a short-term condition but for people with weakened immune systems, thrush can spread to other systems of the body and cause serious illness. It’s important to see your doctor to determine the cause and proper treatment of oral thrush.

Although oral thrush in babies is common, if your infant exhibits mild signs of oral thrush that do not resolve within 1-2 weeks, make an appointment to see your doctor. For children and adults, make an appointment as soon as possible to rule out potential underlying conditions. You may be prescribed anti-fungal medications to treat the infection.

Oral Thrush Prevention

Oral thrush is usually not contagious, except in the case of infants transmitting to their mother’s breasts. The best way to prevent oral thrush is to stay as healthy as you can: stop smoking, monitor your diet, manage your stress level, and try to keep your immune system working as well as possible. If you have a condition like diabetes, take any prescribed medications and follow your doctor’s instructions to manage your health.

As always, don’t forget to practice proper dental hygiene: brush twice a day, floss once a day, and if you have dentures, clean them properly and don’t sleep in them. See us at Chauvin Dental every six months for your regular checkups and let us know if you’ve got any concerns about oral thrush or any other oral conditions.

Many people, both young and old, wear either partial or full dentures to counteract the negative effects of tooth loss. Dentures can help restore a person’s self-confidence and give back the ability to enjoy favorite foods or speak in public with no fear of judgment. Many denture wearers may feel so comfortable with their dentures that they don’t see a problem sleeping with them at night; however, there are many alarming side effects to wearing dentures at night or while sleeping.

Complications of Constantly Wearing Dentures 

It’s essential to remove your dentures while sleeping, or for another 7-8 hour stretch during the day, to give your tissues and gums a break. If you sleep with dentures, the moist environment of your mouth can create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow between the bottom of the dentures and your gum-line. This bacteria can then easily be breathed into your lungs and cause systemic infections. A study in the Journal of Dental Research showed that within denture wearers in a nursing home, the ones who slept with dentures were more than twice as likely to experience complications, and even death, related to pneumonia.

Other common complications that can be caused by not removing dentures at night include:

• Denture-related stomatitis, which is an inflammation in the top of the mouth caused by a yeast infection. This can be accompanied by cracking and dryness in the corners of the mouth.
• Bone loss and long-term changes in appearance in the face, caused by constant pressure on the gums from the dentures. Taking dentures out at night gives your gums a break from the pressure and lessens the risk of bone loss.
• Foul smells or bad breath
• Inflammation or sores in the mouth

Proper Denture Care

Your dentures are an investment that you want to last. Here are some tips to make sure they stay in top condition:

• Remove and clean your dentures after meals; if you don’t have time to clean them each time, make sure to at least rinse them with water. This will help wash off any bacteria.
• At least once a day, gently brush your dentures with a soft toothbrush or denture brush. Use hand soap, dish liquid, or a denture cleanser. Regular toothpaste is usually a bit too abrasive for dentures.
• When your dentures are not in your mouth, clean your gums and tongue once a day. You can use a damp, soft washcloth to wipe and massage them.
• While the dentures are out of your mouth, store them in water or a solution designed for dentures. Dentures are made to be kept moist, so leaving them out in the air could lead to breakdowns in the structure of the dentures.

Remember that even if you have dentures, you still need to visit your dentist at least every six months to make sure that your dental health is in order. If you’re experiencing pain, discomfort, or any other issues with your dentures, come in for a visit as soon as possible to make sure there is no evidence of gum disease or other issues. With proper care and maintenance, your dentures will last and be a positive part of your overall dental health.

Whether you have Type I or Type II Diabetes, it is a disease that requires constant monitoring of the entire body, including the eyes, nerves, and even your teeth. When you have diabetes, you’re at an increased risk for periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay or even tooth loss in more advanced stages. In the beginning stages of gum disease, symptoms for diabetic patients could be as simple as sore, tender gums or bad breath. It’s essential to let your dentist know if you are diabetic and what medications you are taking. It’s also important to see your dentist if you’re experiencing any problems since these could be the first sign of undiagnosed diabetes.

It’s thought that diabetic patients are at a higher risk for gum disease because if blood glucose is not well controlled, that means there’s a lot of glucose in the saliva. You may notice that here on the blog for Chauvin Dental, we talk a lot about why you should restrict sugar intake, and that’s for good reason: sugar is the main enemy in the war against dental decay! When your blood glucose level is not kept in check, that gives harmful bacteria in your mouth the perfect environment in which to flourish.

At the same time your blood glucose level affects your oral health, there is the simple fact that having gum disease or oral infections can cause your blood sugar to rise, which is not desirable for diabetics. Thus, controlling blood sugar and keeping watch over your oral health are important because the consequences flow both ways.

Infections in diabetic patients can be more severe because the immune system is weakened.

Other potential oral issues experienced by diabetic individuals include:

• Fungal infections in the mouth, or thrush, characterized by sore patches in the mouth
• Dry mouth
• Ulcers
• Infections
• Cavities
• Burning sensation

The best way to prevent any oral health issues is to control your blood glucose levels. Work with your primary care physician to determine your blood sugar target and a plan to achieve it. If you are a smoker, consider quitting to lessen your risk of health complications. Maintain proper oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing once a day. Ask your dentist how often you should be coming in for checkups and come in sooner if you’re experiencing pain or having a dental emergency.

Whenever your teeth are uncomfortable, it can feel like an emergency, but there are a few commonly experienced situations that do warrant pretty immediate attention from your dentist. The three most common dental emergencies are tooth trauma (chipped, broken, or knocked-out tooth), toothaches or tooth pain, and a lost filling or crown.

Tooth Trauma

Have you chipped, broken, or even lost a tooth? If you’ve chipped or broken a tooth, make an appointment to see your dentist and then rinse with warm water. If you’ve got swelling, you can try applying a cold compress to your face to help. Depending on the damage, the treatment will be different: for a small chip, many times your dentist can round out the edges of your tooth or bond a small amount of resin to your tooth to recreate its natural look. Bigger chips may require placement of a crown, veneers, or a root canal procedure. If you knocked your tooth out, save it in a cup of milk (to prevent the tooth drying out) and bring it to your appointment – and hurry! The chances of saving your tooth are best within an hour of your trauma. Don’t scrub your tooth and don’t touch the root. You can also try to put the tooth back in its place and see if it will hold. If you’ve got time before your appointment, you can also rinse with warm water and apply pressure with a piece of gauze to stop any bleeding.

Toothache or Tooth Pain

Toothaches and teeth sensitivity are conditions most people have experienced. Many times, these are symptoms that the tooth’s nerve is inflamed and may indicate you have a cavity or some decay that needs treatment. See your dentist to be sure of what’s going on. Remember the best way to prevent dental problems is to practice proper oral hygiene, including brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You may be able to temporarily relieve symptoms by rinsing with warm water, using sensitive teeth toothpaste, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, or using a cold compress to help with pain or swelling. Your dentist can recommend specific treatment based on the underlying condition causing your toothache or pain.

Lost Filling or Crown

A filling is what’s used to fill in the space after a cavity is removed, while a crown is what’s placed over your tooth to protect it from further damage or after a procedure like a root canal. It’s possible for these to come loose, for example, if you’ve applied a lot of pressure to a tooth or if there’s decay that needs treatment. If this happens to you, make an appointment with your dentist and, if possible, bring the filling or crown with you. Rinse with warm water immediately after you notice the filling or crown is lost. This is not as urgent as a tooth trauma or toothache, but you should still schedule an appointment ASAP to avoid your tooth becoming further compromised. Your exposed tooth will not be as strong as it was with the filling or crown in place.

Always remember the best thing to do if you ever have any questions or uncertainty regarding your teeth is to make an appointment with your dentist’s office. Although these common dental emergencies require prompt attention, they can typically be successfully and quickly resolved with the help of your dentist.