Most people with good immunity can rid themselves of oral thrush within a week to 10 days.

The duration of symptoms in oral thrush is largely determined by the patient's ability to fight off this fungal infection and the treatment provided.

• Most people with good immunity will be able to rid themselves of this ailment in a week or 10 days.
• Although the body possesses the defense mechanisms against disease, do not delay seeking treatment for oral thrush, especially in case of recurrent or severe symptoms.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may help treat oral thrush, but if the OTC drugs do not work, see a physician without delay.

• In mild cases of oral thrush
  • If the oral thrush is moderate, with no white plaques and only minor redness, it may resolve on its own without therapy within a week with proper oral hygiene.
• In mild to moderate cases of oral thrush
  • If the thrush lasts for several weeks, it can be treated with a prescription mouth rinse, oral gels, or lozenges containing a drug that targets fungal infection.
• In severe cases of oral thrush
  • When oral thrush occurs in people who have a weaker immune system, it can spread and cause severe symptoms.
  • Oral suspensions may fail in such circumstances, so the doctor may advise antifungal medications.
  • Antifungal drugs may be required for up to 14 days in severe cases.
  • Some strains of fungal infection may be resistant to common antifungal treatments; the doctor may prescribe additional antifungal medications or a combination of medications.
• In babies
  • Babies may be more susceptible to oral thrush due to their undeveloped immune systems.
  • This usually clears up on its own and can be avoided by sterilizing any items that the baby may put in their mouth, such as feeding bottles, pacifiers, and toys.

8 common signs and symptoms of oral thrush

In the early stages of infection, symptoms are usually absent.

Following the spread of infection, the proceeding signs may be present:

1. Reduced taste
2. Lesions that are white and cream like on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, tonsils, gums, or roof of the mouth
3. Lesions that are slightly raised and resemble cottage cheese
4. Burning, discomfort, or redness that makes it difficult to swallow or consume
5. If the lesions are scraped or touched, they may bleed
6. Redness or cracking around the mouth's corners
7. Denture stomatitis, causing pain, irritation, or redness beneath dentures
8. A dry, cotton feeling in the mouth

Lesions can migrate into the esophagus in extreme cases. When this happens, people frequently experience difficulties swallowing or the impression that food is being struck within the throat.

In infants, oral thrush will usually cause:

• Fussiness
• Irritability
• Feeding difficulties
• Distinctive white mouth lesions

During breastfeeding, babies can potentially spread a candida infection to their moms and vice versa. When a nursing mother's breasts get infected with candida, she frequently experiences the following symptoms:

• Nipples that are bright red, cracked, sensitive, or itchy
• Areola skin that is flaky or shiny
• Stabbing pain inside the breast
• Unusual nipple soreness while nursing or in the intervals between feedings

Oral thrush symptoms are often classified into three groups based on the look of the infection.

1. Pseudomembranous: This is a classic oral thrush that manifests with typical cottage cheese-like lesions.
2. Erythematous (atrophic): The overgrowth generates raw, red spots within the mouth rather than white patches.
3. Hyperplastic: Also called plaque-like candidiasis or nodular candidiasis, hyperplastic is the most common among patients with human immunodeficiency virus. This variety has a hard-to-remove plaque that is rough to touch.

16 common causes and risk factors of oral thrush

Thrush is an infection caused by the yeast, candida. Candida albicans is the most common strain of oral thrush fungus. Although small levels of candida are typically always present in the mouth, oral thrush infections occur when candida overgrowth occurs.

The common causes and risk factors of oral thrush include the following:

1. Side effects of exposure to certain drug treatments, such as antibiotics
2. Poor oral hygiene
3. A baby's mouth is more vulnerable to oral thrush than that of older children, especially if they use unsterile pacifiers
4. Wearing dentures
5. Excessively using an antibacterial mouthwash
6. Poor nutrition 
7. A high sugar diet
8. Exposure to steroid inhalers or tablets
9. Dry mouth (can occur for a variety of reasons, including mouth respiration, antidepressant medication, and medical conditions that reduce salivation–having a dry mouth makes a person more susceptible to candida overgrowth and bacterial overgrowth)
10. Uncontrolled diabetes greatly increases the risk of oral candidiasis
11. Cushing’s syndrome (a disorder that occurs when the body makes too much of the hormone cortisol over a long period)
12. Cancer (weakens the immune system, but cancer therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, also increase the risk of oral thrush)
13. Immune system conditions, such as human immunodeficiency virus (an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
14. Poor general health
15. Smoking
16. Excessive alcohol consumption

Newborns can contract a candida infection from their mother after birth, and they are at a higher risk if they have major health problems or were delivered prematurely. It can happen when a mother or child has taken antibiotics, which can limit the number of beneficial bacteria in their bodies.

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What are the treatment options for oral thrush?

Oral thrush requires prescription medication when over-the-counter medications do not help. 

• People with a weakened immune system require more vigorous treatment to ensure that the yeast does not enter the bloodstream and infect other organs.
• If the white or yellow lesions are accompanied by fever, chills, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms, seek emergency medical assistance.
• Although strict oral hygiene measures must be followed, the purpose of treatment is to use antifungal drugs to control the overgrowth of yeast.

Based on the severity of the condition and the presence of any underlying conditions, the doctor will devise a treatment strategy, such as the following:

• Treatments may include:
  • Antifungal mouth rinses
  • Lozenges
  • Oral gels
  • Oral tablets
  • A combination of oral tablets and lozenges are used to treat severe infections
• Medications may include:
  • Nystatin
  • Amphotericin B
  • Clotrimazole lozenge
  • Fluconazole pill

Other antifungal medications are available and may be prescribed by the doctor depending on the condition and diagnosis.

The management of the factors that led to the formation of the fungal infection is the first step to treating oral thrush.

• If it is developed as a result of using a specific antibiotic, contact the doctor right once for an alternative drug.
• Dentures should be removed from the mouth and carefully cleaned before going to bed. The dentist may recommend an antibacterial mouth rinse for use as a denture disinfectant.
• People with diabetes must constantly monitor and control their blood glucose levels.
• Those who are immunocompromised may require oral or intravenous antifungal drugs continuously to control candida infection.

Some procedures can be followed in all cases of oral thrush to prevent it from arising and hastening to heal. Regular oral and dental care, such as using a soft toothbrush and flossing, can help.