Oral Thrush – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Oral candidiasis is an infection of yeast fungi of the genus Candida on the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is frequently caused by Candida albicans, or less commonly by Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis. Oral thrush may refers to candidiasis in the mouths of babies, while if occurring in the mouth or throat of adults it may also be termed candidosis or moniliasis.

Thrush refers to candida infection of the mouth and oral areas. The term "thrush" is sometimes also used incorrectly to describe a Candida infection of the genital area; see vaginal candiasis or penile candidiasis. Thrush is common in infants, and can arise particularly after a course of antibiotics. Otherwise, oral thrush usually affects only the ill, particularly those with a weakened immune system.

What causes thrush?

Small amounts of the candida fungus are present in the mouth, digestive tract, and skin of most healthy people and are normally kept in check by other bacteria and microorganisms in the body. However, certain illnesses, stress, or medications can disturb the delicate balance, causing the fungus candida to grow out of control, causing infection. Medications that upset the balance of microorganisms in the mouth and may cause thrush include corticosteroids, antibiotics, and birth control pills.

Signs and Symptoms:

Thrush is easily identified as white spots or raised clusters on the surface of the tongue. These patches are often curd-like, and can be found on the roof of the mouth, inside the cheeks and on the back of the throat. Thrush on the tongue can cause dry mouth. When the clusters are coating the throat, swallowing becomes difficult and painful. Some foods, such as carbonated beverages, may aggravate the pain.

The symptoms of oral thrush include clusters of raised, white, patches on the tongue, roof of the mouth and cheeks. When bushing the teeth the white film can be brushed off and the inflamed area may bleed. If this is left untreated it can cause serious problems. Thrush can spread all through the mouth, down the esophagus into the stomach and the lungs. Thrush can cause mouth ulcers and bad breath. People that take antibiotic treatments, such as people with anemia, HIV patients, and people with immune system problems are at a high risk of oral thrush.

The Facts

Oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth caused by uncontrolled growth of an organism called Candida albicans.Candida albicans is an organism that normally makes a quiet home for itself on your skin and doesn't bother anyone. We all carry this organism on our skin, in our mouth, in our gastrointestinal tract (gut), and, in the case of women, in the vagina. Occasionally the yeast multiplies uncontrollably, causing pain and inflammation. When this occurs, it is called candidiasis. It is also known as moniliasis or a yeast infection.

Treatment

There are two goals when treating oral thrush in adults. The first is to improve your immune system's ability to function. For example, in diabetics, good control of diabetes may be enough to clear the infection without other treatment. The second is to directly treat the infection. For this purpose, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal mouthwash or lozenges to suck on. These are usually used for 5-10 days. If they don't work, other medication may be prescribed.

Author: peterhutch

Natural Remedies for Gum Health

Gum disease and periodontal disease are serious issues especially when it gets to its advanced stages, as it creates inflammation and destruction of the tissues that are responsible for supporting the teeth with the most common symptoms of severe gum disease being pain, infection and loosening of the teeth. If the gum disease is left untreated, it could lead to the loss of the tooth or infections within the tooth and jaw and as gum disease and heart disease, stroke diabetes and even cancer could have related symptoms it makes sense to deal with any potential mouth issues. The effects of the gum disease are long-term and can even spread to different parts of the body through the blood stream.

Dentists are the best people to treat gum disease, but to prevent the problem from happening there are a few things you could do at home, so that the gums are kept healthy and free from infections. Of course these home remedies need to followed along with the general steps of oral hygiene maintenance, but they add more strength to the gums and thus help in longevity of the teeth and gum health.

Healthy Gums can be maintained by many natural ways but if serious problems are seen, it's better to visit the Dentist for the additional treatment and advice.

Maintain Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C intake is very necessary to maintain the health and integrity of the gums, and there is a strong link between deficiency of Vitamin C and the gum troubles. The recommended amount of Vitamin C for daily intake is 60 mg (which is a maintenance dose for a healthy individual), and this can be increased up to 2000mg for those who are already suffering from gum disease or gum problems. Vitamin C rich foods include citrus fruits, and many fruits and vegetables such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, chili peppers, fresh herbs and strawberries.

When taking vitamin C supplements it is best to take a buffered or ascorbate version rather than ascorbic acid as the high acid content can erode your enamel and cause acid stress to the body.

Toothpastes with CoEnzyme Q10 or A CoQ10 Supplememt

One of the other proven ways to keep the gums healthy and free from infections is the usage of either a supplement or toothpastes which contain the natural CoEnzyme Q10, which allows damaged or diseased gum tissues repair. CoQ10 like vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. CoQ10 is found in meat and fish, fruit and vegetables and some oils.

Natural Cranberry Juice without sugar

This is an easily available product just make sure to purchase one which doesn't have any added sugar. Cranberry juice works by removing bacteria that adhere to the surface of the teeth or gums, and prevents further bacteria to attach and attack your oral tissues.

Tea tree Oil

This is a gel rather than oil, which is available directly in the form of tubes at stores and pharmacies and this is one of the proven ways to reduce the symptoms of gum disease. There have been several tests done with patients with gingivitis/periodontitis who used this gel while toothbrushing, after a number of days people reported that the bleeding of gums while brushing the teeth had reduced and that their symptoms of gum disease lessened. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and works by reducing the amount of bacteria on the gum surfaces.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the ways to reduce the inflammation and the inflammatory effects caused by the bacteria on the gums. Studies and research suggest that there is a link between low Vitamin D and gingivitis, and it was found that people with higher blood levels of Vitamin D were less likely to have problems like bleeding gums.

Sun light during the early mornings or late afternoon during summer and at noon during winter is one of the sources of Vitamin D, as skin exposure triggers the synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin and then the liver.

Lifestyle and overall wellbeing also impact on our oral health so there are other ways to keep the gums healthy and free from infections. One is to keep yourself free from any mental stress and get quality sleep. In times when people are under mental stress the incidence of mouth ulcers and gingival symptoms also increase.

Apart from the above remedies, the maintenance of good oral hygiene through regularly brushing and flossing is a must for healthy gums.

By Dr Rachel Hall

How to Get White Teeth in 1 Day Fast With the Best Home White Teeth System on the Market

How to get white teeth in 1 day
Knowing how to get white teeth is important for our everyday life. It opens doors to many aspect of life that yellow teeth fail to bring. Whether you are at a job interview or going out for a big date, discolored teeth can ruin your first impression and your chance of winning great points from others. If your teeth are discoloring due to smoking, age, or you simply just want a bright white smile, you can use these tips to reveal your most beautiful and glamorous smile.
Step 1. Use the best home white teeth system
One of the best white tooth systems is by using teeth whitening strips or pen. These are used widely by so many people and famous celebrities due to the effectiveness and convenience the system brings. You can simply apply these products on your teeth repeatedly before you go to bed and at least 10 minutes in the morning before running to work. These systems are so effective that can give you whiter tooth very fast with very little amount of time and money.
2. Professional tooth whitener
This is the 2nd best way to get white teeth and bright smiles that most rich celebrities go to. Simply go to the dentist office in your area and you can get your teeth whiten very fast. The main techniques used at the dentist office are beaching kits, light therapy, and whitening gel placed in mouth pieces and will usually take 2-3 hours to get done. After that, you will get a bright white beautiful smile and a nice invoice of $250 to $900 or more depends on where you go.
3. How to get white teeth home remedy
You can also use this home remedy to get your teeth white fast. A combination of peroxide and baking soda can used as a bleaching agent which can gives you whiter tooth with little to no cost. You can also mix pear sized baking soda with your tooth paste and use it together to get the maximum results. However, these types of home made recipes only go for certain extend and you can't expect 100% improvement in a short period of time.
When it comes to getting bright white teeth in 1 day and with a cheaper budget to start, check out the guide on how to get white teeth and give you the chance to get the similar results when going to the dentists while cutting the expensive costs down to as little as $3.

So now you know how to get white teeth, improve the first impression and relationship without spending $500 for it. Before buying any expensive tooth whitening gels, check out these stories that the same people like you had done to get their bright white teeth using this secret to get best teeth whitener products at the lowest price on the market.

By Vicky D. Taylor

5 Health Tips From Dentists

Why does this happen?
The very first thing you should know is that an instrument is only as good as the wielder. That means, you may be using the best dental products but if you aren't combining them with basic oral hygiene procedures; they are of no use. To learn more, look at these top tips by which you can ensure better oral health with minimum use of dental products.
1. Use only fluoridated products - Fluoride is actively absorbed by the tooth surface making it harder and much more resistant to cavities. Check the ingredient list on the toothpaste to find its fluoride content and combine it with a fluoridated mouthwash and a fluoride-impregnated floss to ensure better oral health. If you already have cavities, you can use fluoride-leaching cements like GIC to seal the tooth and to prevent further cavities. Do be careful about the fluoride in your water supply though as too much fluoride can cause a problem called as dental fluorosis in growing teeth.
2. Use dental sealants - Dental sealants cover surface imperfections and prevent food impaction. The plastic protective coating can be applied in ten minutes and it lasts for a very long time. Get in touch with your dentist for additional information.
3. Learn proper brushing techniques - Most people scrub away at their teeth thinking that pressure is the best way to clean teeth. However, they couldn't be more wrong. Technique is far more important than pressure and you dentist will teach you the right method for cleaning your teeth.
4. Clean your tongue - 90% of all bad breath cases are due to a woolly tongue covered with food particles. For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too, use the same toothbrush or a special tongue cleaner to scrape and clean the tongue. This will dramatically improve oral health and oral odour as well. You should replace your toothbrush every three months.
5. Visit your dentist at least once in six months - Everyone has to visit the dentist at least once in six months. This screening visit will help the dentist find and seal cavities, assess your dental health and remove scaly white deposits called plaque.
Do not make the mistake of considering no dental pain as perfect dental health. By the time pain starts, it's actually too late to do anything. Visit your dentist regularly and follow these tips to ensure better oral health.

By Dr Sunitha Prasad