Oral thrush in adults

It is also called oral candidosis (or candidiasis) because it is caused by a group of yeasts called Candida.

Symptoms of oral thrush

Symptoms of oral thrush can include:

• white patches (plaques) in the mouth that can often be wiped off, leaving behind red areas 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.

When to see your doctor

Speak to a pharmacist if you have symptoms of oral thrush. If left untreated, symptoms can persist, and your mouth might continue to feel uncomfortable. Your pharmacist will usually be able to diagnose oral thrush by examining your mouth.

If pharmacy treatments don't help, see your doctor, who may recommend other medication. They may also order blood tests to check for other conditions that can be associated with oral thrush, such as diabetes and nutritional deficiencies.

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 poor oral hygiene
• having a dry mouth , either because of a medical condition 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

As most people already have Candida fungi living in their mouth, oral thrush is not contagious. This means it cannot be passed to others.

Treatments for oral thrush

Oral thrush can usually be successfully treated with

Topical medication will usually need to be used several times a day for around 7 to 14 days. Tablet or capsules are usually taken once daily.

These medications don't often have side effects, although some can cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, bloating, abdominal (tummy) pain and

If antibiotics or corticosteroids are thought to be causing your oral thrush, the medicine – or the way it is delivered – may need to be changed or the dosage reduced.

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 fluoride, and interdental cleaning (flossing) regularly
• visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups, even if you wear dentures or have no natural teeth
• removing your dentures every night, cleaning them with paste or soap and water before soaking them in a solution of water and denture-cleaning tablets
• brushing your gums, tongue and inside your mouth with a soft brush twice a day if you wear dentures or have no or few natural teeth
• visiting your dentist if your dentures do not fit properly
• stopping smoking if you smoke
• rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out after using a corticosteroid inhaler, and using a spacer (a plastic cylinder that attaches to the inhaler) when you take your medicine
• ensuring that any underlying condition you have, such as diabetes, is well controlled

If you have a condition or are receiving treatment that could put you at a high risk of developing oral thrush, your doctor may recommend taking a course of antifungal medication to prevent this happening.

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