Why have I suddenly got oral thrush?

Table of Contents

What is oral thrush?

Oral thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth caused by an overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungus. It appears as white lesions or plaques on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils, or throat. Oral thrush is quite common and can affect people of all ages, but it occurs more frequently in babies, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Some key facts about oral thrush include:

It is caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans in the mouth

It leads to white lesions/plaques in the mouth that can be wiped off, leaving red areas underneath
It is painless in mild cases but can cause pain or difficulty swallowing if the infection spreads
Risk factors include antibiotic use, dentures, diabetes, smoking, corticosteroid use, HIV/AIDS, chemo/radiation therapy

It is diagnosed through a visual exam and sometimes a culture of the lesions
Treatment is with topical antifungal medication, with oral prescription antifungals for severe cases

So in summary, oral thrush refers to a fungal overgrowth typically caused by Candida that leads to symptomatic white patches in the mouth.

Why does oral thrush occur?

Oral thrush occurs when there is an overgrowth of Candida fungus in the mouth. Certain factors can trigger an overgrowth and allow the fungus to multiply and cause symptoms. Some potential causes and risk factors for developing oral thrush include:

Recent antibiotic use – Antibiotics kill off normal bacteria in the mouth, allowing Candida to overgrow
Immune deficiency – Conditions like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer treatment suppress the immune system, allowing infections like thrush

Corticosteroid use – Inhaled or oral steroids also suppress immunity and increase risk of oral thrush
Dentures – The yeast can overgrow on dentures, especially if they aren’t properly cleaned
Dry mouth – Low saliva makes it easier for thrush to develop

Smoking/vaping – Chemical irritants allow Candida to multiply more easily
Infancy – Babies have underdeveloped immune systems and are prone to oral thrush

So anytime the normal microbial balance in the mouth gets disrupted or the immune system gets weakened, it can set the stage for overgrowth of Candida fungus, leading to oral thrush.

Why have I suddenly developed oral thrush?

There are a few key reasons someone without other risk factors might suddenly develop oral thrush out of the blue:

Recent antibiotic treatment – Killing off the normal bacteria allows Candida to grow unchecked
New diabetes diagnosis – Uncontrolled blood sugar allows fungal overgrowths like thrush

Stress/poor diet – Times of stress or poor nutrition can impair immunity
Hormonal changes – Fluctuations in estrogen make women more prone to vaginal and oral thrush
Impaired immunity – Even a minor illness like a cold can create vulnerability to thrush

Occlusal trauma – Damage to the gums from chronic biting/chewing issues
Dry mouth – Lowered saliva from medicines, mouth breathing, dehydration

So if you have recently developed oral thrush seemingly out of nowhere, take a close look at any of these factors that may have contributed. Things like taking a round of antibiotics, getting a diabetes or HIV diagnosis, increased life stressors, hormonal changes, dry mouth, or even just a random cold can potentially open the door for oral thrush.

What does it look like?

The characteristic appearance of oral thrush includes:

White patches or plaques in the mouth – These can appear on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, palate, tonsils, or throat
Redness or soreness under patches – If wiped away, the plaques may reveal a red, inflamed surface underneath

Painless in mild cases – Severe thrush can cause painful lesions or difficulty swallowing
Creamy white/yellow color – The lesions are often described as “cottage cheese-like”
Easy to wipe away – Light wiping can often remove the plaques, but they quickly return

So look out for white patchy lesions that can be wiped off to reveal redness, typically on the tongue, cheeks, gums, or throat. Mild cases may have no pain, but deeper tissue invasion causes painful lesions. The creamy color and wipeability help distinguish thrush from other mouth problems.

What are the symptoms?

Some common symptoms of oral thrush may include:

White lesions in mouth

Redness or soreness
Taste changes
Burning mouth or tongue

Cracked tongue or lips
Difficult or painful swallowing
Raw areas if lesions spread

Cottony sensation in mouth
Loss of appetite

The hallmark symptom is the appearance of creamy white patches or plaques in the oral cavity. Mild cases may be painless, but moderate to severe thrush can cause burning mouth, sore throat, problems swallowing, loss of taste, and even lesions so deep they impede eating.

When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor for oral thrush if:

White patches do not resolve on their own within 7-14 days
The lesions are widespread and painful

You have trouble eating or swallowing
There is fever or you feel ill in addition to the thrush
You have a condition that weakens immunity like diabetes, cancer, or HIV

Thrush recurs frequently
Over-the-counter treatments are ineffective

Prompt medical attention is advised if you have severe or persistent thrush, if you have trouble eating or swallowing, or you have an underlying condition putting you at high risk. Recurrent bouts of thrush should also be evaluated.

Risk factors

Certain people are more predisposed to developing oral thrush. Risk factors include:

Infants
Older adults

Immunocompromised – HIV, chemotherapy, steroids
Diabetes
Smokers

Denture wearers
Dry mouth – medicines, salivary gland issues
Poor oral hygiene

Antibiotic use
Corticosteroid use

Oral thrush tends to affect those with weaker immune systems, either from age, medical conditions, or medications. Issues that disrupt the normal oral environment like dry mouth or denture use also increase risk. Recent antibiotic use allows overgrowth by killing off competing bacteria.

Is oral thrush contagious?

Oral thrush is moderately contagious and can spread through:

Direct contact – Kissing or shared utensils can spread oral thrush
Breastfeeding – Thrush can pass from mother to baby via breastfeeding

Shared items – Using the same cup or toothbrush spreads the yeast
Healthcare settings – Improperly sterilized dental or medical equipment

To reduce contagion, avoid sharing utensils, cups, toothbrushes, or other oral items with those infected. Properly sterilize any mouth equipment used. Breastfeeding mothers should wash nipples and pump parts adequately if either they or the baby develop thrush.

Complications

Potential complications of oral thrush may include:

Trouble eating/swallowing – If lesions spread, they can interfere with eating
Malnutrition – Inability to eat can lead to nutritional deficits

Dehydration – Painful swallowing reduces fluid intake
Invasive candidiasis – The infection spreads to deeper tissues and the bloodstream
Disseminated infection – Widespread, severe candida infection systemically

Airway obstruction – Lesions block the airway and impair breathing

While mild thrush is easily treated, moderate to severe infections can potentially progress and cause problems like poor nutrition, dehydration, and even widespread systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Lesions in the throat can also obstruct the airway.

Diagnosis

Oral thrush is typically diagnosed through:

Medical history – Assessing for risk factors and related issues
Physical exam – Looking at the distinctive white lesions
Swabbing lesions – Microscopic exam and fungal culture

Blood tests – For those at risk for invasive candidiasis
Biopsy – Helps confirm invasive fungal infection
Endoscopy – To check for candida overgrowth in the esophagus

The cottony white oral plaques are quite characteristic of thrush. Still, lab tests like microscopic inspection, cultures, and blood tests may be done to confirm – especially if there are concerns about invasive infection. Endoscopy can check for thrush infection deeper in the GI tract.

Treatment

Oral thrush is treated with:

Antifungal mouthwashes – Prescription solutions like nystatin swished and swallowed

Oral antifungal medication – For moderate/severe cases unresponsive to swishing solutions
Antifungal lozenges – Dissolvable clotrimazole tablets
Natural remedies – Probiotics, coconut oil, tea tree oil may help

Denture cleaning – Scrubbing or soaking dentures kills yeast overgrowth
Address underlying issues – Manage diabetes, dry mouth, steroid use

Mild cases can be treated with prescription antifungal mouthwashes or natural agents like coconut oil. More stubborn thrush requires oral pills like fluconazole. Dentures must be properly cleaned to eliminate reservoirs of yeast. Screening for HIV and diabetes may be appropriate if oral thrush persists or recurs.

Home remedies

Some home remedies may help combat mild oral thrush:

Saltwater rinse – Dissolve 1/2 tsp salt in warm water, swish and gargle
Baking soda paste – Mix baking soda with water, apply to lesions

Coconut oil – Swish with virgin coconut oil, has antimicrobial effects
Probiotics – Eat probiotic yogurt or take supplements to restore mouth bacteria
Tea tree oil – Dilute and swab onto lesions with a cotton swab

Aloe vera – Swish pure aloe vera juice in mouth and swallow
Honey – Apply manuka honey directly to lesions

While not a substitute for medical treatment, these natural agents may aid in controlling mild thrush alongside oral hygiene and antifungal meds. They help inhibit Candida overgrowth and restore a healthy oral microbiome.

Prevention tips

You can help prevent oral thrush by:

Practicing good oral hygiene – Brush teeth twice daily, use mouthwash
Cleaning dentures – Soak and brush dentures after eating

Quitting smoking/vaping – Avoid chemical irritants
Limiting sugary foods – Sugars promote yeast overgrowth
Treating dry mouth – Stay hydrated, use saliva substitutes

Using antifungals – Ask about antifungal medicine after antibiotics
Boosting immunity – Eat healthy, control stress, take key nutrients
Treating underlying issues – Get diabetes and HIV under control

Careful brushing and denture cleaning helps eliminate reservoirs of Candida. Controlling dry mouth, limiting sugars, avoiding irritants like tobacco, and taking antifungals prophylactically all help establish proper oral microbial balance. A healthy diet and lifestyle also strengthen immunity against fungal overgrowth.

When to see an ENT

You should consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) for oral thrush if:

You have trouble swallowing or breathe easily

Lesions are blocking the airway
Thrush recurs frequently
You have severe pain

Antifungal treatment has failed
An endoscopy is needed
There is concern about cancer or other underlying issues

The oral thrush is accompanied by a sore throat

An ENT can fully examine the mouth, throat, and airway for impacted thrush lesions. They have specialized tools to scrape lesions for analysis and can perform an endoscopy to check for candida infiltration deeper into the esophagus. Recurrent or treatment-resistant thrush warrants an ENT referral.

Key points

In summary:

Oral thrush involves a fungal overgrowth of Candida albicans in the mouth
It causes white, wipeable lesions on the tongue, cheeks, gums, and throat
Risk factors include antibiotics, diabetes, immunosuppression, smoking, and dentures

See a doctor for severe, persistent, or recurrent thrush
It’s treated with prescription antifungal mouthwashes, pills, and natural remedies
Practice good oral hygiene and treat underlying causes to prevent thrush

Sudden onset of oral thrush may follow antibiotic use, illness, stress, smoking, hormonal changes, or new diagnoses like diabetes that weaken immunity. Seek medical treatment and take steps to restore normal oral microbiome balance. Prompt evaluation is needed for any severe or persistent thrush.