Guides to oral candidiasis in babies, adults, and older adults, including diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care.
Key point: Oral thrush is uncommon in otherwise healthy adults. White patches, a sore red mouth or denture-related redness should be assessed by a doctor or dentist—especially if symptoms recur, swallowing is painful, or there is no obvious trigger. Oral thrush (oral candidiasis) happens when Candida overgrows in the mouth. It can produce removable-looking white…
Medical note: Ordinary antiseptic mouthwash and soothing lozenges do not reliably treat oral thrush. True antifungal rinses, suspensions, troches, gels, and tablets are medicines selected for the patient, diagnosis, severity, and country. “Antifungal mouthwash” is an imprecise shopping term. A clinician may prescribe a liquid antifungal such as nystatin that is held in the mouth…
Start here: Oral thrush is treatable, but white or sore mouth lesions have several possible causes. Babies, denture wearers, people using inhaled corticosteroids and people with immune or metabolic conditions need different considerations. Pain or difficulty swallowing deserves prompt medical assessment. Oral thrush—also called oral or oropharyngeal candidiasis—is an overgrowth of Candida on tissues in…
Key point: White patches that do not wipe away can be oral thrush, but a white tongue alone may simply be milk residue. Because feeding problems in a baby can become important quickly, contact your baby’s clinician for diagnosis and age-appropriate treatment rather than trying a home remedy. Oral thrush is an overgrowth of Candida…
