Treatment is centered around using antifungal medications.
This article discusses the causes, identification, and treatment of oral thrush.
It appears as a white coating on the tongue .
Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images
A Word From Verywell
Oral thrush can be because of many things and it may be alarming.
However, it can usually be treated and managed by your oral healthcare provider.
What Causes It?
The cause of oral thrush is an overgrowth of theCandida albicansfungus.
The fungus isnt typically harmful, but it can lead to symptoms when itgrows out of control.
Who Is Susceptible to Infection?
Oral thrush can develop in people with a compromised immune system.
Chemotherapy is also a known risk factor for developing oral thrush.
People living with underlying health conditions, such asdiabetesorhypothyroidism, may also be more susceptible to oral thrush.
People with compromised immune systems are also more likely to get oral thrush.
Symptom Duration With Treatment
Withtreatment, symptoms should clear up within two weeks.
They include:
On the Tongue
Oral thrush on the tongue will appear as awhite coating.
If scraped off using a tongue depressor, the underlying skin on the tongue will be red and inflamed.
There may also be slight bleeding.
Throat
The throat will be red and inflamed in a person with oral thrush.
It may also be covered in a white coating.
Cheeks
When the cheeks are affected, they will be red and inflamed.
White and yellow spots on the inside of the cheeks may also be present.
The primary treatment is antifungals.
Oral fluconazoleis used when topical medications do not eliminate the overgrowth.
Is Oral Thrush Getting Worse?
The infection can last for months or even years.
Thats why its vital to start treatment at the first sign of symptoms.
However, this is a rare complication of oral thrush.
Repeat Oral Thrush Infection After Treatment
Even after treatment, oral thrush can return.
Once diagnosed, oral thrush is treated using antifungal medications.
The bang out and strength will be chosen depending on the symptoms and severity.
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