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Candida in the Mouth

An overabundance of candida, a normally friendly bacteria that the digestive tract produces --- can end up in your mouth, leading to a condition known as thrush. Although harmless in itself, it does warrant a trip to the doctor or dentist. It could be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition, such as sugar diabetes, especially if it occurs in teenagers without any other risk factors, according to Mayo Clinic. It could also warrant an HIV exam, especially if you have recently engaged in risky sexual or drug-taking behaviors.

  1. Oral Candida Causes

    • Small amounts of candida are present in everybody's mouth. However, in a healthy person, friendly bacteria usually counteract the fungus. However, according to Medicine Net, illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer or a condition such as pregnancy can upset this balance, causing the bacteria to grow wildly. Also, corticosteroids, antibiotics and birth control pills are among the drugs that Medicine Net cites as leading to this condition.

    Oral Candida Symptoms

    • In checking for oral thrush, a dentist looks for creamy, white lesions in your mouth that appear on your tongue, inner cheeks or on the roof of your mouth. According to Mayo Clinic, these lesions usually take the appearance of cottage cheese, and can be quite painful. If you rub or scrape these areas, slight bleeding can develop. Cracking at the corners of your mouth, a loss of taste and a cottony feeling in your mouth are also possible symptoms that the Mayo Clinic website mentions. In addition, these lesions can spread to your esophagus, leading to difficulty in swallowing.

    Diagnosis Process

    • In determining whether you have thrush, the dentist usually looks at your mouth and tongue. If he still can't determine whether or not you have this condition, he'll scrape the inside of your mouth at the site of the lesion, or take a culture of it. He then places it under a microscope, examines it and makes his diagnosis.

    Treatment Options

    • If the patient is an infant, no treatment is usually necessary, since these infections usually resolve within two weeks. However, according to Medline Plus, for adults the doctor may have to prescribe medicine, depending on the underlying condition, or how well the condition responds to the initial treatment. He may start by placing you on an antifungal mouthwash or medicated throat lozenges you can use for between five and 10 days. If this treatment proves ineffective, he may prescribe stronger medication, especially if your condition is due to a compromised immune system.

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