What is oral thrush?
Quick facts: Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida yeast multiplying in the mouth. It can affect anyone, but is more common in babies, older people and those with weakened immunity or risk factors. Symptoms may include white patches, redness, soreness, bleeding, dryness and taste changes. Because other conditions can look similar and may be serious, seek advice from a pharmacist rather than self-diagnosing, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.
Oral thrush is a common condition that affects the mouth and can cause noticeable changes to the tongue, gums or inside of the cheeks. While it’s often mild, the symptoms can feel uncomfortable and may make eating, drinking or speaking less pleasant.
Because some signs of oral thrush can look similar to other mouth conditions, it isn’t always easy to know what you’re dealing with. Understanding how oral thrush may appear and who’s more likely to experience it can help you to recognise when you need medical advice.
In this article, we explain what oral thrush is, explore the common signs and symptoms and touch on similar-looking conditions. If you’ve noticed unusual patches, soreness or changes inside your mouth, this guide may help you to understand what to do next.
What actually is oral thrush?
Also sometimes called oral candidiasis or similar names, oral thrush is an infection that develops in the mouth. It’s linked to a type of yeast called Candida, which naturally lives in the body, including in the mouth. In most cases, Candida doesn’t cause any problems. Oral thrush develops when the balance of microorganisms in the mouth changes and the yeast multiplies.
This condition can affect people of all ages, though it’s more common in:
- Babies and young children
- Elderly people
- Anyone with a suppressed or compromised immune system
- Those with extra risk factors including but not limited to smoking, denture use, dry mouth or diabetes.
It’s generally considered a minor health condition, although it can sometimes develop into other areas of the body if left untreated. This can be serious and would require medical attention.
Although oral thrush is typically mild, it’s important not to assume that every change inside the mouth is caused by thrush. Other conditions can look similar, so checking your symptoms and getting advice from a healthcare professional is vital.
What does oral thrush look like?
Oral thrush can cause noticeable changes inside the mouth, including:
- Creamy white patches on the tongue, gums, roof of the mouth or inside the cheeks
- A white coating that may look similar to cottage cheese
- Red or sore skin underneath the patches
- Slight bleeding if the patches are wiped away
- Redness or inflammation inside the mouth
- Cracks at the corners of the lips.
In babies, oral thrush may look like white spots or a coating on the tongue that doesn’t disappear after feeding.
Oral thrush can change how your mouth feels as well. This could mean your mouth feels:
- Sore, tender or irritated – similar to a sore throat
- Dry or cotton-like
- Uncomfortable when eating or drinking
- Like it’s burning or itching, particularly on the tongue.
Some people may also notice an unpleasant flavour or a reduced sense of taste.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, and other mouth conditions can look or feel similar. These include leukoplakia, mouth ulcers and infections causing a sore throat amongst other possibilities. Not all similar conditions are harmless.
Because white patches, redness and soreness can have different causes, it’s best not to self-diagnose. A pharmacist can assess your symptoms and recommend appropriate next steps. You should also seek advice if your symptoms continue or get worse.
Changes inside the mouth can be easy to overlook, particularly when they seem mild at first. However, seeking advice early can help to avoid problems getting worse – and while oral thrush is usually manageable, similar-looking problems may need a different approach.
Rather than guessing, seek medical advice. A pharmacist can help to identify the issue and guide you towards the right support so you can feel better sooner.
FAQs
Is oral thrush a fungal infection?
Yes, oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by a yeast called Candida. Small amounts of Candida naturally live in the mouth without causing problems, but oral thrush can develop when the yeast grows more than usual and disrupts the mouth’s natural balance.
Is thrush the same as oral thrush?
Thrush and oral thrush are related, but they’re not exactly the same.
Thrush is a general name for an infection caused by Candida yeast, which can affect different parts of the body. Oral thrush specifically develops in the mouth. Other types include vaginal thrush and infections affecting the skin.
Does oral thrush go away on its own?
Mild oral thrush may sometimes clear up without treatment, particularly in babies. However, it’s best not to rely on it going away by itself, as the infection can persist or become uncomfortable.
Speak to a pharmacist for advice, especially if symptoms affect eating or drinking. See a GP if there’s no improvement after one week of treatment or if swallowing is painful.
