Risk Factors of Oral Thrush
Babies, toddlers, and older adults are at a higher risk of developing oral thrush. This is basically because, at these stages, the immune system may not be the strongest, and also, they are more exposed to the possibility of the infection. A baby, for instance, if the mother has a vaginal yeast infection, can be transferred to the baby at the point of birth. Some medical conditions, medical treatments, and lifestyle factors can increase the risk of one developing oral thrush. The primary job of these risk factors is that they weaken the immune system or disturb the balance of microbes in the body, making it difficult for the body to fight against any form of infection.
Some factors that can increase the risk of oral thrush include:
- Conditions that cause dry mouth: For example, diabetes. Diabetes can increase the risk of one developing oral thrush; when the mouth is dry and the salivary glands in the mouth are not producing enough saliva, it gives in a room for yeast infection to develop in the mouth.
- Conditions that weaken the immune system: If you have a health condition that weakens the immune system, it would also increase the risk of developing oral thrush or any oral infection. Diseases like leukemia, anemia, or HIV, these conditions make it difficult for the body to fight against infections.
- Medications: Some prescribed medications have oral thrush as their side effect. Or medicines that suppress the immune system, thereby creating an opportunity for infections to act up. Some of these medications include antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressant drugs.
- Particular lifestyle: there are some actions we take that can increase the risk of oral thrush. Examples include; smoking cigarettes and wearing dentures.