Leukoplakia vs Thrush or Oral Candidiasis all of them are medical problems related to your mouth. In this article, we will learn about the difference between all of these, what causes them, and the symptoms of all of these.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a dental problem where white or gray patches show in your mouth. These patches can form on your tongue, inside your cheek, or sometimes they can form on the roof or floor of your mouth. Leukoplakia patches are harmless and have no painless but they are sensitive to touch, heat, and spicy food. There is a result of an infection or irritation. Leukoplakia patches will clear within a few weeks but in some cases, if the infection is still in your mouth them you need surgery to clear this out.
Causes of Leukoplakia
The main cause of Leukoplakia is still unknown but, in most cases, the main cause of Leukoplakia is tobacco. There is also another type of Leukoplakia which is called Hairy Leukoplakia which is formed in you are a patient of HIV or AIDS. Here are some of the causes of Leukoplakia
- Jagged, broken, or sharp teeth rubbing on tongue surfaces
- Broken or ill-fitting dentures
- Long-term alcohol use
- Oral Cancer but is very rare
- HIV or AIDS
Symptoms of Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia symptoms mainly consist of white and gray patches inside your mouth, but here are symptoms of Leukoplakia
- White or gray
- Thick or slightly raised
- Hardened and rough in texture
Treatment of Leukoplakia
The treatment of Leukoplakia is pretty simple. If the source of the Leukoplakia is an infection of irritation then it is removed from your mouth. And if it is caused by tobacco which includes smoking or chewing nicotine gum then the dentist will recommend you to stop taking nicotine. Because Leukoplakia is treated by killing the source of it. If the source is dead then Leukoplakia is will cleared on its own.
Leukoplakia is usually bringing no harm and the leftover after the treatment will clear in a few weeks. Leukoplakia is painless but it is sensitive to touch, heat, and spicy foods. If the main source of Leukoplakia is in your mouth then it can take Leukoplakia can take up to a month to clear. In this case, you need surgery to surgery to remove the Leukoplakia from your mouth. An oral surgeon or a dentist both can remove the lesion.
Thrush
In thrush, a yeast-shaped fungus is formed in your mouth and throat. This fungus is called Candida or Candida Albicans (it is the older name of this fungus but it is still used in some parts of the world). Our immune system and digestive system keep track of Candida but then it grows in number it starts forming in your body. It commonly forms inside of our mouth or in the throat.
Causes of Thrush
Thrush is commonly caused by the overgrowth of Candida in our body. Our digestive system and immune system keep proper track of Candia but when it overgrows is starts forming in our body. This overgrowth of Candia cab be triggered by various things but it all includes personal actions. Here are some of the action which can trigger thrush
- Illness
- Pregnancy
- New Medications
- Changes in the Immune System
Thrush in a newborn baby is also common this is caused due to lack of proper feeding or it can be triggered by the weight loss of the newborn baby. If your baby has fungus on the tongue or throat them you should consult your doctor about that. Make sure that the baby is ok.
Symptoms of Thrush
Thrush is a medical problem when white patches or coating is formed on the top of the tongue or in the throat is it pretty obvious when someone has thrush. As it is pretty visible. Â Here are some of the common symptoms of thrush
- Characteristic white patches
- Redness under the white patches
- White tongue
- Cracking at the outer edges of the lips
- Dry mouth
- Feeling of food stuck in the throat or sore throat
- Soreness in teeth
- Strange or unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
In some cases, thrush can also lead to burning mouth syndrome. The symptom of burning mouth syndrome is that it leads or painful sensation, mouth dryness, and soreness. It is an extreme case and if you feel any of these symptoms then please visit your doctor.
Treatment of Thrush
The treatment of thrush includes medicines where the treatment of Leukoplakia includes surgery. In thrush a dentist will provide you multiple medicines which you have to take, these medicines may include:
- fluconazole (Diflucan), an oral antifungal medication
- clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), an antifungal medication that’s available as a lozenge
- nystatin (Nystop, Nyata), an antifungal mouthwash that you can swish in your mouth or swab in your baby’s mouth
- itraconazole (Sporanox), an oral antifungal medication that’s used to treat people who don’t respond to other treatments for oral thrush and people with HIV
- amphotericin B (AmBisome, Fungizone), a medication that’s used to treat severe cases of oral thrush
After taking all medicines the thrush will go away it’s leaving on mark behind. What medicines are doing that they are making sure that the level of Candida comes back to its original state? Once the level reaches its optimal states the thrush will go away on its own.
Also Read :
Know Everything About Tongue Tattoo | Q&A
Risk Factors of Leukoplakia? | Leukoplakia causes and treatment
