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Dental Thrush – What It Is and How to Stop It

Ever noticed white patches on your tongue or inside your cheeks that won’t brush away? That’s probably dental thrush, a yeast infection that loves the warm, moist spots in your mouth. It’s caused by an overgrowth of Candida fungus, the same bug behind diaper rash and vaginal yeast infections. Most of us carry Candida harmlessly, but when your immune system is low, you take antibiotics, or you have diabetes, the fungus can explode into a full‑blown thrush.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Thrush shows up as creamy‑white lesions that can look like cottage‑cheese on the tongue, gums, palate, or the inside of your lips. The spots often have a red, sore border and might bleed if you try to scrape them off. Besides the visual cue, you may feel:

  • A burning or itching sensation in your mouth.
  • Difficulty swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck in the throat.
  • A loss of taste or a sour taste that won’t go away.

If you have these signs and they linger more than a week, it’s a good idea to see a dentist or doctor. They’ll usually diagnose it by looking at the mouth and, if needed, swabbing the lesion for a quick lab test.

Treatment and Prevention

The fastest way to clear thrush is with antifungal medication. Over‑the‑counter options like clotrimazole lozenges or nystatin oral suspension work well for mild cases. Prescription meds such as fluconazole pills are common if the infection is stubborn or keeps coming back.

While you’re on treatment, keep these habits to speed up recovery:

  • Rinse your mouth with a salt‑water solution (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day.
  • Avoid sugary drinks and snacks that feed the yeast.
  • Swap your toothbrush for a soft‑bristled one and change it after the infection clears.
  • Don’t share utensils, lip balms, or mouthwash with others.

Preventing future outbreaks is mostly about controlling the conditions that let Candida thrive. If you’re on antibiotics, ask your doctor about a probiotic to keep good bacteria in balance. Keep blood sugar steady if you have diabetes, and manage dry mouth by staying hydrated and chewing sugar‑free gum.

Quick check: if the white coating disappears when you swish with water, it’s likely just a coating of food debris. If it stays or feels fuzzy, that’s a sign to treat it.

Remember, dental thrush isn’t a sign of a major disease, but ignoring it can lead to pain, bad taste, and spread to other parts of the body. Spot it early, treat it with the right antifungal, and stick to simple daily habits to keep your mouth healthy and fungus‑free.