Does Thrush Cause Bad Breath?
Oral Thrush is a condition where a certain type of fungus grows too much in the mouth. It can be unsightly, occasionally painful, and should be looked at by a dentist or doctor.
Oral Thrush is also known as Candiditis. It occurs most frequently in the young, the elderly and those with poor immune systems (like people who are sick).
It most frequently occurs as a strange white rash that appears on the mouth tissues (like the tongue and cheeks!)
Side effects can include a bad taste and smelling breath. Stinky breath can have many causes – and Oral Thrush is one of them.
Symptoms of Oral Thrush include
- white patches (plaques) in the mouth that can often be wiped off, leaving behind red areas that may bleed slightly
- loss of taste or an bad tastes and breath
- soreness or red colour inside the mouth and throat that is visible
- cracking and dryness at the corners of the mouth
- a painful, burning sensation in the mouth
Source: the NHS website on Oral Thrush
Although bad breath of mouth origin is typically caused by sulfur containing bacterias in the tongue and throat (Better Health Victoria) – Oral Thrush can cause bad breath.
What to do if Oral Thrush is Causing Bad Breath
If Oral Thrush is causing bad breath the first step is to seek treatment for the candida fungal overgrowth from a doctor or dentist.
It is fairly easy to treat in a week or two using anti-fungal medications.
Steps to Fix Oral Thrush Bad Breath
- See your doctor or dentist for the anti fungal treatment
- Ensure you keep cleaning the teeth properly – at least two minutes twice per day using a soft toothbrush and normal toothpaste
- Rinse with properly made salt water to ease discomfort and prevent infection
- Try to avoid smoking as this can make it last longer
- Look to simple safe natural bad breath cures until the medication works
To Avoid Oral Thrush in the Future
- Get regular dental checkups and they will check the gums and skin as well as clean the teeth. I recommend 6 monthly as a starting point for my patients. A lot can change in a little time!
- Brush twice daily
- If using asthma puffers long term wipe them after use and rinse mouth with water
- Ensure dentures fit well – if they are trapping food let a dentist know
- Consider limiting food intake that has lots of sugar or yeast (like breads and beers)
Adapted from sources including Web MD on Thrush, and the Mayo Clinic on Thrush.