What Disease is Oral Thrush Associated With?

Candida albicans is a type of fungus. When it grows in your mouth the condition is called oral thrush. Generally it causes white lesions on your tongue and inner cheeks, but it can also affect your gums, the back of your throat and your tonsils.

Causes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, oral thrush is caused by a weakened immune system or when antibiotics decrease healthy bacteria, allowing the fungus to grow.

Risk Factors

• Smoking increases the risk of oral thrush.

  The following risk factors can make some people more vulnerable to oral thrush: smoking, dentures, medications including antibiotics, oral or inhaled steroids, and chemotherapy, oral piercings and bad nutrition.

Infants

• Babies are commonly afflicted with oral thrush. They may contact it at birth from a mother who has vaginal thrush, but most develop it after being given antibiotics. Sometimes the cause of oral thrush in infants is not known.

Immune System

• People with weakened immune systems, especially patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation for HIV/AIDS and cancer, are at a higher risk for oral thrush.

Diseases

• Uncontrolled diabetes causes higher sugar content in saliva, which may help the fungus grow faster. Anemia and problems with a dry mouth may increase thrush risk. Hormonal changes in women may increase fungus growth.