Oral thrush in adults: Causes, treatment, prevention
Oral thrush in adults is unfortunately not uncommon, occurring in up to 25% of the population. If you too are struggling with this unpleasant condition, you may be wondering what causes oral thrush and how to treat it. In the following lines you will find the answers to your questions.
What is oral thrush
Oral thrush is an inflammatory disease that manifests itself as painful sores in the mouth. Its technical name is aphthous stomatitis and it is most common between the ages of 10 and 40. They take the form of small sores with a white centre and a reddened rim. They can occur on the inside of the cheeks and mouth or on the tongue.
There are three types of oral thrush, namely small, large and herpetiform. Most often, people struggle with small oral thrush, which usually heals in a week or two and does not leave scars. Oral thrush can occur either separately or in large numbers.
Oral thrush in men is not dangerous, but it hurts
Although oral thrush is not a serious condition, it is certainly unpleasant. It is very painful, and the pain worsens when you eat, drink, talk or swallow. Often, oral thrush is also accompanied by unpleasant burning sensations.
Persistent and recurrent oral thrush may be related to other diseases, so if it doesn’t go away, consult your doctor.
What causes oral thrush in adults
Scientists have not yet been able to agree on why oral thrush occurs, but there are several factors that are known to be involved in its development. These include hormonal changes, weakened immunity, stress, injuries in the oral cavity, food intolerance and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, specifically the lack of iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
Mouth ulcer in adult women and during pregnancy
Women are affected more often than men, with painful mouth ulcer occurring especially during pregnancy and menstruation. In this case, an imbalance of hormones in the body is to blame. According to scientists, heredity also plays a role in the development of oral thrush. If parents suffer from mouth ulcer, there is a high probability that their children will too.
Treatment of oral thrush in adults
Since it is not possible to conclusively determine what the cause of oral thrush is, treatment addresses the symptoms, such as pain and burning. For example, topical preparations with disinfectant and anesthetic effects can relieve the unpleasant symptoms of oral thrush in adults. Various gargles, sprays, lozenges, and gels are available that are applied directly to the painful areas. These medications reduce pain and also speed up the healing of the oral thrush.
Herbal mouth rinses and supplementation of necessary minerals and vitamins can also help. It is also good to focus on strengthening your immune system overall. If you are fit, the oral thrush can go away on its own.
TIP: Kamistad Gel
Kamistad Gel is an effective cure for oral thrush, inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa, as it relieves pain, stimulates healing and, thanks to its chamomile content, also reduces inflammation.
Other treatment options for oral thrush
Certain herbs can also help with the treatment, for example chamomile and sage are often used for mouth rinses. Rinses should be done several times a day. An ice cube applied to the affected areas or products with propolis can also relieve the pain.
Prevention of oral thrush
Since oral thrush can be caused by food allergies, you should avoid foods to which you are sensitive. Brushing your teeth carelessly can also cause oral thrush, so choose a suitable toothbrush with soft bristles and don't apply too much pressure when brushing. Brush your teeth with non-foaming toothpaste or toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Other preventive measures include strengthening your immunity through a varied and healthy diet and sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, B6, B12 and iron.
What foods to avoid with oral thrush
In case you suffer from oral thrush, you should especially avoid hard, crunchy, sharp, sour, spicy, and too hot foods that can irritate the oral mucosa. Reduce drinking coffee and alcohol, chewing gum and, last but not least, do not smoke.
What to do if the oral thrush is not healing?
If you follow all the recommendations and apply medications, the oral thrush should disappear within a few days, at most in a week or two. Gradually, the pain should decrease.
However, sometimes oral thrush won't go away in adults and it can even spread. If the condition does not improve, oral thrush returns, gets worse, becomes more painful or is accompanied by a high temperature, seek medical help.
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