What Causes Oral Thrush?

Candida is normally present in small amounts in the mouth without causing problems.

Oral thrush may develop when the balance of microorganisms changes, allowing the yeast to overgrow.

Common risk factors include:

• Recent antibiotic use
• Inhaled corticosteroid medications (such as asthma inhalers)
• Dry mouth
• Diabetes
• Denture use, especially if dentures are worn overnight
• Smoking or tobacco use
• A weakened immune system
• Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy

Identifying and addressing the underlying cause is an important part of treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

Oral thrush may cause:

• White or cream-colored patches on the tongue, cheeks, gums, or roof of the mouth
• A thick coating on the tongue
• Red or irritated tissue beneath the white patches
• A burning or sore mouth
• Difficulty swallowing in more severe cases
• Cracking at the corners of the mouth
• Changes in taste

The white patches may wipe away, sometimes leaving slightly red or irritated tissue underneath.

How Is Oral Thrush Diagnosed?

Dr. Omeltschenko can often recognize oral thrush during a clinical examination.

Your evaluation may include:

• Examination of the affected tissues
• Review of your symptoms
• Discussion of medications and medical history
• Evaluation of dentures, if applicable
• Assessment of possible contributing factors such as dry mouth

If the appearance is unusual or another condition is suspected, additional evaluation or referral may be recommended.

What Happens If Oral Thrush Is Left Untreated?

Mild cases may occasionally improve on their own if the underlying cause is corrected.

However, untreated thrush may:

• Become increasingly uncomfortable
• Spread to other areas of the mouth
• Make eating or swallowing uncomfortable
• Recur if contributing factors are not addressed

Persistent oral thrush should always be evaluated to determine why it developed.

Possible Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and its underlying cause.

Possible treatment options include:

• Prescription Antifungal Medication – Antifungal rinses, lozenges, or medications are commonly used to eliminate the yeast infection.

• Improved Denture Hygiene – Cleaning dentures thoroughly each day and removing them while sleeping may help prevent recurring infections.

• Managing Dry Mouth – Increasing saliva flow or treating dry mouth may reduce the risk of future infections.

• Addressing Underlying Medical Conditions – If diabetes, medications, or other health conditions are contributing to the problem, additional evaluation by your physician may be appropriate.

Successful treatment often requires addressing both the infection and the factors that allowed it to develop.

Looking Beyond the White Patches

Not every white patch in the mouth is caused by oral thrush.

White lesions may also result from irritation, friction, certain inflammatory conditions, or, in some cases, precancerous changes.

That’s why it’s important to have persistent changes in the tissues of your mouth professionally evaluated rather than assuming they are simply thrush.