Oral Thrush (Candidiasis): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Noticing white patches inside your cheeks, on your tongue, or at the corners of your mouth can be worrying, especially if they do not wipe away easily or leave a sore, red area behind. This is often a sign of oral thrush, a common fungal infection that is easily treated once identified correctly. Here is what you need to know before your visit to a dentist in Gurugram or Malviya Nagar, Delhi.
What Does Oral Thrush Look Like
Oral thrush, medically known as oral candidiasis, is caused by an overgrowth of a yeast called Candida albicans, which naturally lives in small amounts in everyone's mouth. When conditions allow it to multiply, symptoms can include:
- Creamy white or yellowish patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils, or roof of the mouth
- Patches that look slightly raised, like cottage cheese, and may bleed slightly if scraped
- Redness or soreness underneath or around the patches
- A burning sensation, especially while eating spicy or acidic food
- Cracking and redness at the corners of the mouth (sometimes called angular cheilitis)
- A cottony feeling in the mouth or loss of taste
Not everyone gets the classic white patches. Some people, particularly denture wearers, have a red, sore mouth without visible white coating, which is another form of the same infection.
Why Does Oral Thrush Develop
Candida overgrowth usually happens when something disturbs the natural balance of microbes in the mouth or weakens the body's defenses. Common triggers include:
Antibiotics
Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria, but they can also wipe out the good bacteria that normally keep Candida in check, allowing the fungus to grow unchecked.
Dentures
Ill-fitting dentures, or dentures that are not cleaned and removed at night, create a warm, moist environment where yeast thrives. This is one of the most common causes seen in older patients.
Weakened Immunity
Conditions such as diabetes, HIV, cancer treatment, or long-term steroid use (including inhaled steroids for asthma) can lower the body's ability to control fungal growth.
Dry Mouth
Saliva helps wash away excess yeast and bacteria. Dry mouth caused by certain medications, dehydration, mouth breathing, or medical conditions like Sjogren's syndrome increases the risk of thrush.
Other Factors
Smoking, poorly controlled blood sugar, a high sugar diet, and infancy (in babies whose immune systems are still developing) are also linked to higher thrush risk.
How Dentists Diagnose Oral Thrush
In most cases, a dentist can identify oral thrush simply by examining your mouth and asking about your symptoms, medications, and health history. If the diagnosis is unclear, or if the infection does not respond to initial treatment, your dentist may:
- Gently scrape a small sample of the patch to examine it under a microscope
- Recommend a blood test to check for underlying conditions like diabetes or immune issues
- Refer you for further testing if thrush keeps recurring without an obvious cause
Treatment Options in Delhi and Gurugram
Treatment depends on how severe the infection is and what triggered it. Dentists commonly recommend:
- Antifungal medication: This may come as an oral gel, lozenge, or liquid rinse used for one to two weeks. More persistent cases may need an oral antifungal tablet.
- Denture care advice: Cleaning and soaking dentures properly, and leaving them out at night, is essential for denture-related thrush.
- Addressing the underlying cause: This might mean adjusting inhaler technique and rinsing after use, managing blood sugar levels, or reviewing medications with your doctor.
- Saliva support: For dry mouth related thrush, your dentist may suggest saliva substitutes, sugar free lozenges, or drinking water more frequently through the day.
Most cases clear up within one to two weeks of consistent treatment. If thrush keeps coming back, further evaluation is needed to rule out an underlying health condition.
| Treatment | Typical Range (INR) |
|---|---|
| Dental consultation and examination | Typical range: Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 |
| Antifungal gel or oral rinse | Typical range: Rs 150 to Rs 500 |
| Antifungal tablets (course) | Typical range: Rs 200 to Rs 800 |
| Denture adjustment or relining | Typical range: Rs 1,500 to Rs 6,000 |
These are general estimates and actual costs depend on the severity of the infection, the medication prescribed, and any additional dental work needed. Your dentist will confirm exact costs after an examination.
When to See a Dentist
Visit a dentist if you notice white patches that do not go away on their own within a few days, if you have persistent soreness or burning, or if you wear dentures and notice redness underneath them. Patients in Gurugram and Malviya Nagar, Delhi can consult a dentist at Esthetica International Clinique for an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan suited to the underlying cause.
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Esthetica International Clinique · 95P, Sector 47, Gurugram
Frequently asked questions
Is oral thrush contagious?
It can spread through kissing, sharing utensils, or breastfeeding, but healthy people with normal immunity and good oral hygiene are unlikely to catch it easily. People with weak immunity or infants are more susceptible.
Can I treat oral thrush at home without seeing a dentist?
Mild cases sometimes improve with better oral hygiene and rinsing after inhaler use, but confirmed treatment needs antifungal medication from a dentist or doctor. Since white patches can also signal other conditions, a proper diagnosis is important before starting treatment.
Why do I keep getting thrush even after treatment?
Recurring thrush usually means an underlying cause is not addressed, such as ill-fitting dentures, uncontrolled diabetes, dry mouth, or repeated antibiotic use. Your dentist will look into these factors to prevent it from coming back.
Does oral thrush hurt?
It can cause soreness, a burning sensation, or a cottony feeling in the mouth, especially when eating spicy or acidic foods. Some people, however, have only mild discomfort or none at all.
Treatment costs mentioned on this page are indicative ranges for the Gurugram & Malviya Nagar, Delhi region. Your exact cost depends on your case and will be confirmed after a clinical examination at the clinic.