Small Town Monthly

Posted on Thursday, August 12, 2010 by admin in Blog |

Once diagnosed with thrush it is important to take the appropriate measures to abate the problem. Thrush can be effectively treated in all people; however, those people with illnesses such as Acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and cancer that suppress the immune system are a little bit more difficult to treat.

A proper diagnosis by a dentist is the first step for curing thrush. During the dental exam the dentist will look for small, slightly raised white lesions in the mouth. These lesions can be found on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils, and the roof of the mouth. A dentist will scrape the lesion and obtain a tissue sample of the area. At this time a diagnosis of thrush can be made.

With the proper diagnosis, there are effective thrush treatments and thrush medications to cure thrush. Generally, thrush can be cured in healthy adults and children; however, those with weakened immune system will have a harder battle. Curing thrush must begin by ridding the body of the excessive candida fungus or yeast. Patients are prescribed anti-fungal medications which are generally taken for ten to fourteen days. This antifungal medication can be taken as a pill, lozenges, or in a liquid form. The overall treatment of thrush will be solely based on the patients’ age and the cause of the infection.

Once the case of thrush improves, there are preventative measures that can be taken in order to minimize the chances of a reoccurrence. If practiced during the medical treatment of thrush these measures can also encourage the treatment and cause the thrush to be cured faster. As always it is important to practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing the teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily. Good oral hygiene also includes routine dental check-ups and cleanings. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis allows the dentist to monitor the mouth and overall oral health more closely so that if problems do arise preventative measures can be taken. It is better to start treatments for something early and before the condition gets out of control so that additional complications and evasive thrush treatments can be avoided. When eating, limit the intake of foods containing sugar and yeast. The yeast and sugar encourages the growth of the candida fungus, thus prolonging the healing process. Avoid the use of tobacco products. Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products prolongs the healing of thrush as well.

Seeking the proper dental care and treatments, as well as following a few easy steps will help to cure the thrush and reduce the chances of any future complications.