What is it?
Candida is a fungus normally present in the mouth. When immunity, saliva or the balance of the oral flora is disturbed it multiplies and forms white patches on the cheeks, tongue or palate. Wiped away, these leave a red and sometimes bleeding surface beneath.
In an adult, thrush is often a sign of something underlying. Denture wear, a steroid inhaler, a course of antibiotics, dry mouth and uncontrolled diabetes are the most frequent settings; in recurring cases these are investigated.
Signs
You will not necessarily have all of these at once.
Why does it happen?
- 01
Denture wear
The surface under a denture that is not removed at night or cleaned properly is a favourable environment for the fungus.
- 02
Steroid inhalers
Not rinsing the mouth after use suppresses local immunity; this is a preventable cause.
- 03
A course of antibiotics
When the bacterial balance is disturbed, the fungus fills the space that opens up.
- 04
Dry mouth and diabetes
When saliva drops and blood sugar runs high, fungal overgrowth becomes easier.
How is it treated?
Treatment uses an antifungal; a gel or solution applied in the mouth is enough in most cases. If a denture is worn it must be disinfected over the same period, otherwise the problem returns as soon as treatment ends.
In recurring cases the underlying setting is investigated: blood sugar, dry mouth, inhaler use and nutrition are reviewed. Widespread thrush appearing for the first time in an adult calls for questions about an underlying condition.
- Pain on swallowing or a sense of spread towards the gullet
- Patches that do not settle within two weeks despite treatment
- White patches that cannot be wiped or scraped away
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
How is it prevented?
- Rinse your mouth with water after using a steroid inhaler
- Remove the denture at night and clean it separately every day
- Clean your tongue daily
- If you have diabetes, treat blood sugar control as part of your oral health
Frequently asked questions
- Is thrush contagious?
- Between healthy adults it is not considered contagious under ordinary conditions. In infants it can pass between mother and baby during breastfeeding.
- Is a white patch that will not wipe off also thrush?
- No. White patches that will not wipe off are a different matter and must be assessed; they are among the findings not to be waited out.
This content is for general information and does not replace an in-person examination. Symptoms overlap between conditions, and a diagnosis can only be made clinically.