Oral thrush in adults

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 mouth
redness inside the mouth and throat
cracks at the corners of the mouth
a painful, burning sensation in the mouth

In some cases, the symptoms of oral thrush can make eating and drinking difficult.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for oral thrush in adults

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

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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