Is oral thrush contagious?

Oral thrush is generally not considered contagious. In people with healthy immune systems, it’s unusual to pass thrush through kissing or other close contact. However, thrush can be transferred between mothers and infants during breastfeeding. If you’re worried about getting thrush from another person who has it, avoid coming into contact with their saliva. It’s smart to wash your hands as often as possible if you’re near someone who has thrush.

How to get rid of oral thrush

Oral thrush is treated with prescribed antifungal medications. These come in several forms, including lozenges, pills, tablets, gels, and liquids (oral suspensions). In addition to medication, good oral hygiene and home remedies, like saltwater or baking soda rinses, can help manage symptoms and promote healing.

Oral Thrush (Thrush): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Oral Thrush (Thrush): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Last updated 10/26

This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr Robert Lee, a dental professional of 35 years

Table of Content

Key Takeaways

Oral thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth caused by the Candida fungus
Commonly appears as white patches on the tongue, cheeks, or throat
Risk factors for oral thrush include weakened immunity, antibiotic use, and certain health conditions
Treatments include antifungal medications, lifestyle changes, and good oral hygiene
Generally easy to treat, but it can recur if the underlying causes aren’t addressed

Stylised photo of a mouth with a fuzzy white tongue

What Is Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth caused by Candida albicans, a type of yeast that naturally lives in small amounts in our mouths, our digestive tracts, and on our skin. Candida albicans is normally kept in check by the body, but when the yeast grows too much, it can lead to thrush.

It can also affect those who have recently completed a course of antibiotics, which can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth. Oral thrush won’t heal itself, but it is easy to treat. In most cases, oral thrush requires treatment to resolve and does not go away on its own.

Causes of Oral Thrush

Several factors can cause or contribute to the overgrowth of Candida in the mouth:

Weakened Immune System: People with certain conditions are more susceptible as their bodies can’t fight off yeast overgrowth effectively. These include HIV/AIDS, cancer, and undergoing chemotherapy

Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics can kill both harmful and helpful bacteria, giving yeast more room to grow unchecked

Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can feed yeast, so those with uncontrolled diabetes often have higher sugar levels in their mouths, helping Candida thrive.

Dry Mouth: Saliva helps wash away food particles and keeps the balance of organisms in the mouth. A dry mouth, from medication or a health condition, can make it easier for thrush to develop

Dentures: Dentures, especially if they don’t fit well or aren’t cleaned regularly, can create a warm, moist environment that allows for yeast to grow

Corticosteroids: Inhaled corticosteroids, used for asthma or nasal allergies, can sometimes lead to thrush, especially if the mouth isn’t rinsed after use

Smoking: Tobacco can change the mouth’s environment and weaken its natural defenses against things like thrush

Woman sticking out her tongue showing cracks and crevices

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

Symptoms of oral thrush may not be noticeable in the very early stages. Be on the lookout for:

White patches: Creamy white, slightly raised lesions in the mouth located on the tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums and tonsils
Redness or Soreness: May cause difficulty eating or swallowing
Cotton Mouth: A dry, cottony feeling in the mouth
Cracking and redness in mouth corners: Especially in denture wearers
Loss of taste: This can be a lack of taste or a strange, unpleasant taste in the mouth
In babies: look for Irritability or difficulty feeding

How is Oral Thrush Diagnosed?

It’s often identified by visual inspection of the mouth by your dentist or dental hygienist. Your healthcare provider might also gently scrape a patch to examine under a microscope. Further tests may also be ordered to rule out underlying conditions. This is often done when the infection is severe or recurrent

Treatment Options

Thrush is treatable. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

Figure Out the Cause:

Sometimes, antibiotics or inhaled steroids trigger the thrush. Your healthcare provider might adjust the dosage or suggest an alternative medication
Diabetes, in which case, better sugar control can help with thrush

Antifungal Medications: Common medications include Nystatin, Clotrimazole, and Fluconazole, which come in several forms.

Lozenges that dissolve in your mouth
Oral suspensions, which are liquids that you swish around your mouth and then swallow
Pills or tablets which are typically used for more widespread or stubborn cases

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes: Home remedies alone aren’t enough to treat thrush, but they can help when used along with prescribed medications

Avoid sugar and yeast-rich foods. They can encourage fungal growth
Rinse your mouth after using inhaled corticosteroids
Saltwater rinse can soothe irritation
Baking soda rinse can help neutralise acids and reduce fungal growth
Apple cider vinegar: While some sources suggest apple cider vinegar rinses may have antifungal properties, it is highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel. If you choose to try this home remedy, it's important to rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water afterward to help neutralise the acid.

Young man about to gurgle mouthwash from a cup in his bathroom

How to Prevent Oral Thrush

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to keep oral thrush from occurring.

Brush your teeth regularly and floss daily
Rinse your mouth after using inhalers, especially inhalers with corticosteroids
Clean dentures thoroughly and remove them at night
Control diabetic blood sugar
See your dentist regularly
For babies, sterilizing bottles, pacifiers, and breastfeeding items helps prevent the spread of yeast

When to See a Doctor

Symptoms persist for more than a week

You have frequent recurrences of thrush, which can be a sign of an underlying condition

You’re in pain or have trouble eating

You have a weakened immune system

Summary

Oral thrush is a common infection caused by the Candida fungus that affects the mouth and throat. It commonly presents as white patches on the tongue, cheeks, or throat. Other symptoms include redness or soreness, cotton mouth, and cracking in the corners of your mouth. Certain factors can increase the risk of developing oral thrush, including a weakened immune system, antibiotic use, and certain health conditions, such as diabetes. Dentures can also be a risk factor, especially if they’re not cleaned regularly.

Fortunately, thrush is easy to treat. Your doctor may prescribe antifungal medications such as Nystatin, Clotrimazole, and Fluconazole. They may also adjust existing medications that can be a trigger, including antibiotics and inhaled corticosteroids.

There are some easy ways to keep oral thrush from occurring at all. It starts with brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Denture wearers shouldclean themthoroughly and remove them at night. As always, see your dentist or dental hygienist regularly. They can help diagnose and treat oral thrush if it occurs.

Maintain a Healthy Smile with the Right Care

Keep your teeth clean and help reduce the risk of oral health issues such as cavities, staining, and bad breath. Plaque forms on teeth as a sticky film. Additionally, plaque contains substances that feed on sugar from food and drinks. As these substances metabolize sugar, they release acids that can erode tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities and other problems. But help is just a toothbrush away.

Here are a few suggestions to help establish a regular, effective routine.

Brush 2X/day with an Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush: To help reduce plaque buildup and protect your teeth and gums, a thorough yet gentle cleaning is key. An electric toothbrush like the Oral-B iO can help maintain the health of teeth and gums better than a manual toothbrush.

Brush with Fresh Bristles Every 3 Months: Get back to a more complete clean by replacing your toothbrush head every 3 months. A brush head in optimal bristle condition, such as the Oral-B Ultimate Clean brush head, helps remove plaque and has different bristle lengths that reach deep into the spaces between your teeth, where plaque loves to hide.

By maintaining a complete oral care routine that consists of an electric toothbrush, targeted flossing, and fluoride toothpaste, you can help support a clean, strong smile.

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FAQs

Oral thrush is generally not considered contagious. In people with healthy immune systems, it’s unusual to pass thrush through kissing or other close contact. However, thrush can be transferred between mothers and infants during breastfeeding. If you’re worried about getting thrush from another person who has it, avoid coming into contact with their saliva. It’s smart to wash your hands as often as possible if you’re near someone who has thrush.
Oral thrush is treated with prescribed antifungal medications. These come in several forms, including lozenges, pills, tablets, gels, and liquids (oral suspensions). In addition to medication, good oral hygiene and home remedies, like saltwater or baking soda rinses, can help manage symptoms and promote healing.

Sources

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