Oral thrush in adults
Causes of oral thrush
Low numbers of the fungus Candida are naturally found in the mouth and digestive system of most people. They don't usually cause any problems, but can lead to oral thrush if they multiply.
There are a number of reasons why this may happen, including:
- taking a course of antibiotics , particularly over a long period or at a high dose
- taking inhaled corticosteroid medication for asthma
- wearing dentures (false teeth), particularly if they don't fit properly
- having poororal hygiene
- having a dry mouth , either because of a medicalcondition or a medication you are taking
- smoking
- having chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer
Babies, young children and elderly people are at a particularly high risk of developing oral thrush, as are people with certain underlying conditions, including diabetes, an iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency , an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and HIV .
As most people already have Candida fungi living in their mouth, oral thrush is not contagious. This means it cannot be passed to others.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth. It is not contagious and is usually successfully treated with antifungal medication.
Symptoms of oral thrush
Symptoms of oral thrushcaninclude: white patches (plaques) in the mouth that can often be wiped off, leaving behind redareas that may bleed slightly loss of taste or an unpleasant taste in the mo
When to see your GP
Speak to your GP if you develop symptoms of oral thrush. If left untreated, the symptoms will often persist and your mouth will continue to feel uncomfortable. In severe cases that are left untreated
Causes of oral thrush
Low numbers of the fungus Candida are naturally found in the mouth and digestive system of most people. They don't usually cause any problems, but can lead to oral thrush if they multiply. There are
Treatments for oral thrush
Oral thrush can usually be successfully treated with antifungal medicines . These usually come in the form of gels or liquid that you apply directly inside your mouth (topical medication), although ta
Preventing oral thrush
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your chances of developing oral thrush, including: rinsing your mouth after meals brushing your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains f
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