Definition
Thrush is an infection inside the mouth. It usually begins on the tongue and inside of the cheeks. It can spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, and throat.
Causes
This health problem is caused by yeast, a type of fungus. It is normally found in the mouth in small amounts. It can cause symptoms when too much of it grows and spreads.
Risk Factors
This problem is more common in babies and older adults. Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Having a weakened immune system due to health problems like HIV
-
Taking certain medicines, such as corticosteroids and antibiotics
- Poor nutrition
- Eating a diet rich in carbohydrates
- Pregnancy
-
Wearing devices in the mouth, such as dentures
- Thumb sucking
- Endocrine problems, such as diabetes, Cushing disease, and thyroid issues
- Cancer and cancer treatment
- Smoking
Symptoms
Some people may not have symptoms. Those who do may have:
- White patches on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, roof of mouth, and throat
- Redness and soreness
- Pain when eating or swallowing
- Loss of taste
- Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the mouth. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
If the cause is not clear, a sample of cells may be taken from the mouth for testing. This can be done with an oral swab, scraping, or rinse.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to restore the normal balance of yeast in the mouth. Any underlying causes will also be treated.
Choices are:
- Antifungal medicine
- Supportive care, such as good oral hygiene and denture care
Prevention
The risk of this health problem may be lowered by:
- Managing underlying health problems
- Practicing good oral hygiene
Definition
Thrush is an infection inside the mouth. It usually begins on the tongue and inside of the cheeks. It can spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, and throat.
Causes
This health problem is caused by yeast, a type of fungus. It is normally found in the mouth in small amounts. It can cause symptoms when too much of it grows and spreads.
Risk Factors
This problem is more common in babies and older adults. Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Having a weakened immune system due to health problems like HIV
-
Taking certain medicines, such as corticosteroids and antibiotics
- Poor nutrition
- Eating a diet rich in carbohydrates
- Pregnancy
-
Wearing devices in the mouth, such as dentures
- Thumb sucking
- Endocrine problems, such as diabetes, Cushing disease, and thyroid issues
- Cancer and cancer treatment
- Smoking
Symptoms
Some people may not have symptoms. Those who do may have:
- White patches on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, roof of mouth, and throat
- Redness and soreness
- Pain when eating or swallowing
- Loss of taste
- Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the mouth. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
If the cause is not clear, a sample of cells may be taken from the mouth for testing. This can be done with an oral swab, scraping, or rinse.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to restore the normal balance of yeast in the mouth. Any underlying causes will also be treated.
Choices are:
- Antifungal medicine
- Supportive care, such as good oral hygiene and denture care
Prevention
The risk of this health problem may be lowered by:
- Managing underlying health problems
- Practicing good oral hygiene
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
a
(Oral Candidiasis—Adult)
References
Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html. Accessed March 25, 2021.
Dentures. Mouth Healthy—American Dental Association website. Available at: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dentures. Accessed March 25, 2021.
Lewis MAO, Williams DW. Diagnosis and management of oral candidosis. Br Dent J. 2017 Nov 10;223(9):675-681.
Oral candidiasis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/oral-candidiasis. Accessed March 25, 2021.
