Oral Thrush (Thrush): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What Is Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth caused by Candida albicans, a type of yeast that naturally lives in small amounts in our mouths, our digestive tracts, and on our skin. Candida albicans is normally kept in check by the body, but when the yeast grows too much, it can lead to thrush.

It can also affect those who have recently completed a course of antibiotics, which can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth. Oral thrush won’t heal itself, but it is easy to treat. In most cases, oral thrush requires treatment to resolve and does not go away on its own.

Causes of Oral Thrush

Several factors can cause or contribute to the overgrowth of Candida in the mouth:

• Weakened Immune System: People with certain conditions are more susceptible as their bodies can’t fight off yeast overgrowth effectively. These include HIV/AIDS, cancer, and undergoing chemotherapy
• Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics can kill both harmful and helpful bacteria, giving yeast more room to grow unchecked
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can feed yeast, so those with uncontrolled diabetes often have higher sugar levels in their mouths, helping Candida thrive.
• Dry Mouth: Saliva helps wash away food particles and keeps the balance of organisms in the mouth. A dry mouth, from medication or a health condition, can make it easier for thrush to develop
• Dentures: Dentures, especially if they don’t fit well or aren’t cleaned regularly, can create a warm, moist environment that allows for yeast to grow
• Corticosteroids: Inhaled corticosteroids, used for asthma or nasal allergies, can sometimes lead to thrush, especially if the mouth isn’t rinsed after use
• Smoking: Tobacco can change the mouth’s environment and weaken its natural defenses against things like thrush

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

Symptoms of oral thrush may not be noticeable in the very early stages. Be on the lookout for:

• White patches: Creamy white, slightly raised lesions in the mouth located on the tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums and tonsils
• Redness or Soreness: May cause difficulty eating or swallowing
• Cotton Mouth: A dry, cottony feeling in the mouth
• Cracking and redness in mouth corners: Especially in denture wearers
• Loss of taste: This can be a lack of taste or a strange, unpleasant taste in the mouth
• In babies: look for Irritability or difficulty feeding

How Is Oral Thrush Diagnosed?

It’s often identified by visual inspection of the mouth by your dentist or dental hygienist. Your healthcare provider might also gently scrape a patch to examine under a microscope. Further tests may also be ordered to rule out underlying conditions. This is often done when the infection is severe or recurrent

Treatment Options

Thrush is treatable. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

Figure Out the Cause:

• Sometimes, antibiotics or inhaled steroids trigger the thrush. Your healthcare provider might adjust the dosage or suggest an alternative medication
• Diabetes, in which case, better sugar control can help with thrush

Antifungal Medications: Common medications include Nystatin, Clotrimazole, and Fluconazole, which come in several forms.

• Lozenges that dissolve in your mouth
• Oral suspensions, which are liquids that you swish around your mouth and then swallow
• Pills or tablets which are typically used for more widespread or stubborn cases

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes: Home remedies alone aren’t enough to treat thrush, but they can help when used along with prescribed medications

• Avoid sugar and yeast-rich foods. They can encourage fungal growth
• Rinse your mouth after using inhaled corticosteroids
• Saltwater rinse can soothe irritation
• Baking soda rinse can help neutralize acids and reduce fungal growth
• Apple cider vinegar: While some sources suggest apple cider vinegar rinses may have antifungal properties, it is highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel. If you choose to try this home remedy, it's important to rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water afterward to help neutralize the acid.

How to Prevent Oral Thrush

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to keep oral thrush from occurring.

• Brush your teeth regularly and floss daily
• Rinse your mouth after using inhalers, especially inhalers with corticosteroids
• Clean dentures thoroughly and remove them at night
• Control diabetic blood sugar
• See your dentist regularly
• For babies, sterilizing bottles, pacifiers, and breastfeeding items helps prevent the spread of yeast

When to See a Doctor

• Symptoms persist for more than a week
• You have frequent recurrences of thrush, which can be a sign of an underlying condition
• You’re in pain or have trouble eating
• You have a weakened immune system

Summary

Oral thrush is a common infection caused by the Candida fungus that affects the mouth and throat. It commonly presents as white patches on the tongue, cheeks, or throat. Other symptoms include redness or soreness, cotton mouth, and cracking in the corners of your mouth. Certain factors can increase the risk of developing oral thrush, including a weakened immune system, antibiotic use, and certain health conditions, such as diabetes. Dentures can also be a risk factor, especially if they’re not cleaned regularly.

Fortunately, thrush is easy to treat. Your doctor may prescribe antifungal medications such as Nystatin, Clotrimazole, and Fluconazole. They may also adjust existing medications that can be a trigger, including antibiotics and inhaled corticosteroids.

There are some easy ways to keep oral thrush from occurring at all. It starts with brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Denture wearers should clean them thoroughly and remove them at night. As always, see your dentist or dental hygienist regularly. They can help diagnose and treat oral thrush if it occurs.

Oral Health Issues and How to Prevent Them

Common oral health issues can include cavities and tooth decay, gum disease, staining, and sensitivity. The main culprit of which is often plaque buildup—a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. If not treated, these conditions can lead to tooth loss and may even affect your overall health.

By following a complete oral care routine, you can help nip these issues in the bud, for a stronger, healthier smile:

• Brush 2X/day with an Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush: An electric toothbrush, like an Oral-B iO, helps remove 100% more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush. The dentist-inspired round brush head surrounds each tooth as it adapts to the curves of teeth and gums to ensure a cleaner, healthier smile—even in hard-to-reach areas.
• Protect Your Smile with Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste: Make sure to brush twice a day with a stannous fluoride toothpaste. Not only does it help fight cavities and tooth decay, a Crest toothpaste formulated with stannous fluoride like Crest Pro Health also helps keep enamel strong, can fight sensitivity, and offers protection from plaque buildup when you brush twice a day.
• Rinse with Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash: Swish with an antibacterial mouthwash like Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash to kill plaque bacteria, help prevent new plaque from forming, support gum health, and leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh.
• Pair String Floss with an Oral-B Water Flosser: Flossing once daily helps dislodge plaque and debris from between teeth. Adding a water flosser to your routine can help remove any leftover food particles and plaque buildup for an added layer of protection.

By following a thorough oral care routine at home and visiting your dental professional at least twice a year, you can reduce the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and protect your smile for years to come.