Oral thrush can also appear as redness in the mouth without any patches. These white patches are the actual fungus, and can also stick onto the tongue, affecting the taste buds and making your mouth feel a bit like it is filled with cotton. However, when people do get symptoms these can include white or yellow patches on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, or at the back of the throat. Many people with thrush have no symptoms, and may not even be aware they have it, and this is harmless. This is why people who are taking antibiotics are more likely to get oral thrush, as the antibiotic kills off “normal” bacteria, leaving less competition for Candida for food and space in the mouth, leading to Candida overgrowth. 1 It becomes an infection, and causes symptoms, when Candida grows quickly and gets out of control, which may happen when the normal environment in the mouth changes. For example, it is more common in babies, older adults, people taking antibiotics, people with diabetes, or people with a weakened immune system such as those with cancer, HIV, or who have poor nutrition.Ĭandida is a naturally occurring fungus in the mouth, and is reported to be present in 30-45% of the general healthy population.
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This fungus, or yeast, is the same one which causes nappy rashes in babies, rashes between skin folds, and vaginal thrush.Īnyone can be infected with oral thrush, but certain people are more likely to contract it. Oral thrush is an infection caused by a fungus called Candida, which can occur in the mouth and the throat.