Oral Thrush and The Elderly

Oral thrush is an infection in the mouth caused by candida, a fungus that naturally occurs in the mouth. When it becomes overgrown and starts to create tiny lesions on the tongue and other parts of the mouth, it becomes an oral thrush. For most healthy adults, the candida stays in check, and oral thrush doesn’t develop. But for the elderly, especially those with weakened immune systems, it can develop and cause health issues.

What Causes Oral Thrush in the Elderly?

Many parents have only heard of oral thrush when it comes to taking care of their babies. But this condition can also develop in seniors so if you are a caregiver, it’s helpful to understand why it might occur and what to do to treat it if your elderly loved one develops it.

Dentures

Improper denture care can lead to oral thrush. Combine an unclean set of dentures with dry mouth (a common condition in many seniors) and your loved one may have a breeding ground ready for the candida fungus to get out of control. Having a senior home care provider help with the daily cleaning of dentures is one way to make sure they remain clean. Regular check-ups with the dentist to ensure a good fit are another way to keep the dentures healthy and prevent the build-up of unhealthy materials.

Diabetes

Some diseases increase the risk of your elderly loved one developing oral thrush. Diabetes can lead to oral thrush if your loved one’s blood sugar levels are high. Too much blood sugar can reduce the amount of saliva our loved one produces, and thus reduce the amount of needed moisture in his mouth to flush it out regularly and keep it healthy.

Medical Treatments

Some conditions require treatments that reduce the ability of the immune system to fight off bacteria and other health risk. Cancer treatments, organ transplants, and some other conditions will require your loved one to take medications that suppress the immune system and may cause oral thrush to develop.

Using an Inhaler

If your loved one needs to use an inhaler for COPD or Asthma, it could increase his risk.

Oral Thrush Prevention

Luckily, prevention is the key to eliminating the risk of oral thrush. Your elderly loved one can reduce his risk of developing candida infections by taking a few simple precautionary actions.

• Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly all help to keep the mouth healthy and things in balance. If your loved one needs help with any of these tasks, a senior home care provider can assist him in areas he needs.
• Keep dentures clean and well-fitting. Dentures should be taken out each night, cleaned, and soaked to keep them in good condition.
• Rinse or brush after inhaler use. If your loved one needs an inhaler, he should at least rinse his mouth out after each use, and brush when he can.
• Stay hydrated. Dry mouth can cause plenty of oral health issues, so keeping hydrated to promote healthy saliva levels can help keep your loved one’s mouth in good shape and reduce the risk of oral thrush developing. If remembering to drink water throughout the day is tough, have a senior home care provider help by filling up a large water bottle each morning that needs to be finished by the end of the day to help your loved one stay on track with his hydration.

If you are considering senior home care in Henderson, NV for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616