You may have thought that yeast infections only occur in the vaginal area, but this is not the case, says Dr. Dominique Lizzio, Dr. John Cerrato, and Dr. George Sheehan. When an abnormal amount of yeast proliferates in the mouth, it can trigger the development of oral thrush. Oral thrush is characterized by white lesions appearing at the back or on the roof of the mouth.
How does oral thrush get started?
A yeast infection like oral thrush occurs when the immune system is suppressed or if there is interference with the normal balance of yeast in the mouth. The inhaled steroids taken by people who have asthma can also disrupt the balance of yeast in the mouth. Rinsing the mouth out thoroughly after taking medication can help prevent this. Other patients at risk of immune system suppression are AIDS patients and those undergoing chemotherapy. Your Garden City, NY dentists recommend regular dental checkups to identify oral thrush before it can really gain a foothold in your mouth.