Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast that naturally lives in small amounts in every mouth. It shows up as raised, white or cream-colored patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or roof of the mouth, often with redness or soreness underneath. At Westchase Smiles Institute in Tampa, we see thrush most often in infants, older adults, denture wearers, and patients managing diabetes or a weakened immune system.
What Causes Oral Thrush?
Candida is normally kept in check by the healthy bacteria and immune response in your mouth. Thrush develops when that balance is disrupted. Common triggers include:
- A weakened immune system, from illness, chemotherapy, or an immune-compromising condition
- Uncontrolled diabetes, which raises the sugar levels in saliva that yeast feeds on
- Antibiotics, which can wipe out the bacteria that normally keep Candida in check
- Inhaled corticosteroids for asthma or COPD, especially without rinsing the mouth afterward
- Dry mouth, whether from medication, dehydration, or another condition
- Poorly fitting or improperly cleaned dentures
- Smoking
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Thrush?
- White or cream-colored patches on the tongue, cheeks, gums, tonsils, or roof of the mouth
- Slight bleeding if the patches are scraped or brushed
- Redness, burning, or soreness that can make eating and swallowing uncomfortable
- A cottony feeling in the mouth or loss of taste
- Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)
In infants, thrush can also make feeding difficult and cause fussiness.
Is Oral Thrush Contagious?
Candida overgrowth isn’t contagious the way a cold is, but it can pass between a breastfeeding parent and infant, or through shared items like pacifiers, bottles, and dentures. Good hygiene habits for anyone in close contact lower that risk.
How Is Oral Thrush Treated?
Mild cases sometimes clear up once the underlying trigger is addressed, but most cases need an antifungal medication, such as a prescription mouth rinse, lozenge, or tablet. During a dental exam, our team can identify thrush, rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, and coordinate with your physician when antifungal treatment is needed. Left untreated, thrush can spread to the throat, esophagus, or, in patients with weakened immune systems, other parts of the body.
How Can You Prevent Oral Thrush?
- Brush twice daily and floss once a day
- Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush
- Rinse your mouth with water after using an inhaled corticosteroid
- Clean dentures daily and remove them overnight
- Manage blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes
- Stay hydrated to avoid dry mouth
- Keep up with regular dental checkups so early signs are caught before they progress
When Should You See a Dentist About Oral Thrush?
See a dentist promptly if white patches don’t clear up within a week, if pain is interfering with eating, or if thrush keeps coming back — recurring thrush can be a sign of an underlying condition that needs attention. Our team also builds preventive dentistry into every routine visit, so issues like thrush are usually caught before they cause real discomfort.
If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, or it’s simply been a while since your last exam, schedule a visit with Westchase Smiles Institute. Our Tampa team, led by Dr. Cesar Chilmaza, DDS, MS, can diagnose oral thrush and get you back to comfortable, healthy days.
