Oral Thrush - A Quick Read

Back to Quick Reads

Do you have white or yellowish bumps in your mouth?

Wiping off the white patches causes it to bleed?

What is Oral Thrush?

• is result of a yeast or fungal infection inside the mouth.

• Also known as oral candidiasis or thrush.

Appearance and Symptoms

• white or yellow patches inside the mouth

• may or may not bleed

• burning or sore sensation in the mouth

• loss or a bad taste in the mouth

• difficulty swallowing

Location

• inner cheeks of the mouth

• tongue

• tonsils

• gums

• inner lips

Causes

• overgrowth of fungus in the mouth due to antibiotics

• immune system is suppressed from sickness

• chemotherapy

• Diabetes

• contagious from infected person

Affected Group and Risk factors:

• Babies , toddler and older adults are more prone to thrush.

• Dry mouth conditions increases risk

• Diabetic patients

• Denture users

• Smokers

Treatment

• oral antifungal medications

• Oral antifungal lozengers and or drops

Prevention and lifestyle adaptations

• Use soft toothbrush during the thrush

• Replace toothbrush after the thrush 

• increase probiotic intake 

• consume more yogurt to assist recovery

• Use a healthy balanced diet

• Practise good oral hygiene

• If using dentures, clean properly before and after use.

Complications

• Yeast infections in other parts of the body

• vaginal infection from patient with oral thrush if performing oral sex

• penile infection from patient with oral thrush if performing oral sex

• fungal infection to newborn if mother has vaginal yeast infection during natural childbirth

• fungal infection to newborn if mother has breast or nipple yeast infection during breast-feeding

• Can spread to the esophagus

• Can lead to systemic candidiasis and cause septic shock