When your mouth feels like it’s lined with cotton wool, and eating becomes uncomfortable, you might have oral thrush. While it’s not usually serious, this common fungal infection in the mouth can make daily activities like eating and drinking rather unpleasant. Think of oral thrush as unwelcome houseguests who’ve overstayed their welcome – the Candida fungi naturally live in your mouth, but sometimes they get a bit too comfortable and start causing trouble.
From babies to adults, anyone can get oral thrush, though some people face a higher risk. Let’s explore what oral thrush looks like, why it happens, and most importantly, how to send those troublesome fungi packing.
What Are The Signs Of Oral Thrush?
Oral thrush appears quite quickly in your mouth. The most common sign is white, slightly raised patches – usually on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks. You might also see these patches on the roof of your mouth, gums, tonsils or throat.
Other signs include:
- Soreness and redness inside your mouth and at the corners
- Being unable to taste things properly
- A cotton-wool feeling in your mouth
The white patches can hurt and might bleed slightly when you brush your teeth or scrape them. In bad cases, the patches can spread to your food pipe and cause:
- Pain when swallowing
- A feeling that food is stuck in your throat or chest
- A high temperature, if the infection spreads further
In people with cancer, HIV or other conditions that weaken the body’s defences, oral thrush can spread to other parts like the lungs, liver and skin.
What Causes Oral Thrush?
Most of us have small amounts of the Candida fungus in our mouths, gut and skin. When we’re ill, stressed or taking certain medicines, this balance gets upset. Then the fungus grows too much and causes oral thrush.
Can You Catch Oral Thrush?
You can catch oral thrush, but it’s not very catching for most healthy people. However, people with weak immune systems or those taking certain medicines can catch it more easily. If someone has oral thrush:
- Try not to share their saliva
- Wash your hands often when around them
Who Is More Likely To Get Oral Thrush?
You’re more likely to get oral thrush if you:
- Have diabetes
- Have anaemia
- Have HIV/AIDS
- Have cancer
- Have a dry mouth
- Are pregnant
- Smoke
- Wear dentures that don’t fit well
Can Oral Thrush Cause Serious Problems?
For healthy people, oral thrush rarely causes big problems. But if your immune system is weak, the fungus can get into your blood and spread to places like your eyes, brain or heart. This is serious and can lead to a dangerous condition called septic shock.
Looking After Yourself
Getting back to normal after oral thrush doesn’t need to be complicated. While you’re waiting for treatment to work, try sipping cool drinks through a straw if eating hurts. Natural yoghurt can help too – think of it as bringing in the good bacteria to help fight off the troublemakers.
When To See Your Doctor
While oral thrush usually clears up nicely with treatment, sometimes it can be stubborn. If you’ve tried over-the-counter treatments for more than a week without success, pop down to your GP. They’ll know exactly what to do to get your mouth feeling fresh and comfortable again. After all, life’s too short to let oral thrush spoil your favourite foods or that morning cuppa!
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Health
Zoom Health is a leading UK supplier of Home Health Tests and Earplugs
