What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Oral Candidiasis
• Oral Yeast Infection
• Thrush Mouth

What is Oral Thrush? (Definition/Background Information)

• Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast-like fungus, called Candida albicans, which is always present on the body. However, candidiasis occurs when there is an overgrowth of yeast due to certain conducive factors
• The yeast can infect any part of the body, such as the skin, vagina, stomach, or urinary tract. When the mucus lining of the mouth is affected, it leads to an infection known as Oral Thrush (or Oral Candidiasis)
• The condition is generally reported in small children and older adults (particularly in those who wear dentures), since their immunity is comparatively weaker. When in adults, Oral Thrush infection does not spread from one individual to another
• The infection may cause white patches on the tongue and cheeks. Oral Thrush can result in eating and drinking difficulties, lack of taste ability, mild or severe pain in the mouth, and cracks on the mouth corners
• A diagnosis of the condition is made through oral examinations and cultures of mouth lesion scrapings. Oral Thrush is typically treated using antifungal medications along-with undertaking treatment for the underlying health condition, if any
• The prognosis is excellent with adequate treatment in healthy individuals. In individuals with decreased immunity, the prognosis of Oral Thrush is dependent upon the severity of the underlying illness

Who gets Oral Thrush? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Any individual may be affected by Oral Thrush; although, infant babies, young children, and older adults are most frequently affected
• The condition is uncommon in other age groups
• Both males and females are equally affected
• Racial, ethnic, or geographical predominance is not observed

What are the Risk Factors for Oral Thrush? (Predisposing Factors) 

The risk factors for Oral Candidiasis include:

• The risk factors for Oral Candidiasis include:
• Babies and elderly adults, due to their weaker immune system
• Any individual with suppressed immune system caused by diseases/conditions such as poorly-controlled diabetes, cancer therapy, transplant patients, HIV infection or AIDS, among others
• Undergoing regular systemic corticosteroid treatment; use of certain medications
• Individuals who are critically ill
• Individuals who wear dentures regularly
• Pregnant women
• Women with vaginal yeast infections can pass on Oral Thrush to their children
• Obesity
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Dry mouth can increase risk for Oral Candidiasis

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Oral Thrush? (Etiology)

Oral Thrush or Oral Candidiasis is a fungal infection of the mouth caused by the microorganism Candida albicans.

• Candida albicans is a yeast-like fungus that is always present on the body and in the mouth
• A healthy body can resist fungal infection, but when the body immunity is weakened due to various health conditions, there is an uncontrolled growth and proliferation of the pathogen, accompanied by pain, tenderness, and inflammation

Factors that favor an uncontrolled multiplication of the yeast-like fungus include:

• Use of steroids and cancer treatment medications that weaken the immune system. This reduces the body’s defense system and allows the yeast to grow and multiply
• Obesity: Warm moist skin folds are perfect environments for Candida growth
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy weakens the immune system, increasing one’s risk for infection

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Thrush?

The signs and symptoms of Oral Thrush may include:

• White patches inside the mouth (that resemble yoghurt or cottage cheese); especially on the tongue, palate, and around the lips
• The patches may appear swollen and raised
• The gums, back of the throat, and tonsils may also be involved
• The white lesions may cause pain and burning sensation, due to which eating, chewing, swallowing, and speaking may be difficult
• Constant crying in infants; refusing to feed
• Decreased ability to taste
• The corners of the mouth and lips may appear cracked and reddened
• Bleeding may occur, if the white patchy lesions are subjected to slight trauma

How is Oral Thrush Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Oral Thrush may include the following tests and procedures:

• Complete physical examination with evaluation of medical history, including evaluating for the cause of weakened immune system
• Assessment of the presenting signs and symptoms
• Oral examination
• Blood tests to identify other medical conditions causing similar symptoms
• Microscopic study: The affected area is scraped and the sample is treated with a drop of potassium hydroxide (KOH), and then studied under a microscope to identify the yeast. In addition, a culture can grow the organism, or biochemical studies are also performed for a definitive identification

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Oral Thrush?

The following complications are likely to arise when an individual is infected by Oral Thrush:

• Swallowing difficulties: When the mouth is infected, the lesions are very painful and may also bleed, making swallowing, painful and difficult
• Infection of other body parts such as the gastrointestinal tract or vagina in women
• Infant babies who breastfeed can transmit the infection to the mother’s nipple area during suckling. In this situation, both the mother’s infection in the nipple area of the breast and the infant’s oral cavity should be treated. Failure to treat both the mother and infant can result in the infection passing back and forth between the mother and baby
• Individuals with poor immune system may have severe infection, which may involve other parts of the body such as the skin, GI tract, and genitalia

How is Oral Thrush Treated?

Treatment for Oral Thrush depends on the age of the individual, the underlying disease and immune status, and their risk factors. The treatment may include:

• A suspension of antifungal medication can be swished in the mouth and swallowed
  • Use of antifungal lozenges, which dissolve in the mouth
  • Use of mild antifungal medications for babies
• Undertaking treatment of mothers who breastfeed children with Oral Thrush
• Treat any underlying health condition causing immunosuppression in the individual, if possible
• Treat other parts of body affected by candidiasis infection, if any

How can Oral Thrush be Prevented?

The following measures can be adopted for preventing or minimizing the risk of Oral Thrush:

• Regularly brush mouth, typically immediately after eating and drinking using a fluoride-containing paste. Children must be taught to brush their teeth at least twice a day, as a regular habit
• Floss the teeth daily
• Use a suitable mouth rinse (containing fluoride), as recommended by the dentist
• Undertake early treatment for any dental conditions including dry mouth and bad breath
• Limit or control the intake of sugary drinks and sweets/candies (particularly in children)
• Drink more water
• Individuals who wear dentures must strictly follow the cleaning and maintenance regimen for using the same
• Modify food and lifestyle habits to take care of health issues such as diabetes and obesity

Visit a dental professional regularly to ascertain and treat any dental health issues promptly.

What is Prognosis of Oral Thrush? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

The prognosis for Oral Thrush depends on the cause, severity, and response to treatment.

• Generally, it is not a serious condition; and in healthy individuals with normal immune function, the condition is easily treated
• Oral Thrush is difficult to treat in individuals with poor immune systems such as cancer, HIV infection, or AIDS

Additional and Relevant Useful Information Oral Thrush:

Please visit our Dental Health Center for more physician-approved health information:

https://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/dental-health/