DENTAL DILEMMAS – Dr Karim Rachidi from Synergy Dental Clinics helps with advice on dental problems

Q. I think I may have oral thrush, should I be worried about it?

A. Oral thrush, which is also known as oral candidiasis, is a condition that occurs when a fungus builds up on the lining of your mouth. It can usually develop in anyone, whether they are babies, children and adults.

A major symptom to look out for is white lesions in your mouth – on your tongue or inner cheeks. If you notice any of these symptoms then I recommend visiting your dentist as oral thrush can spread.

It can be quite irritating and uncomfortable because the infection can spread to the roof of your mouth and gums. In some cases, the lesions may even appear on the roof of your mouth and on the back of your throat.

Oral thrush can sometimes get confused with leukoplakia – which is the formation of white patches in the mouth. It’s linked with mouth cancer and can raise concerns and often people may wrongly self-diagnose themselves. Which is why it’s good to visit your dentist, so that they can correctly diagnose the condition.

To ensure that oral thrush never occurs or returns after it goes, you should follow a good oral care routine. If you are taking antibiotics to remedy a chronic condition, then I recommend including yoghurt in your diet.

During the course of your oral thrush, try to replace your toothbrush more frequently than the recommended three month intervals. If your brush is harbouring any leftovers from the infections, it could delay the recovery. Once you have recovered, then you can go back to changing your brush every three months.

Don’t forget to brush your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, too.

For more information about dental problems contact Synergy Dental

Clinic Blackburn, email blackburn@synergydental.org.uk or go to www.synergydental.org.uk/dentist-in-blackburn