Oral thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. It appears when the usual level of bacteria in the mouth becomes out of equilibrium, usually from an illness or a medication.
The office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA makes children feel at ease, creating a positive experience for them. Our specialized expertiseoffers care that’s tailored to the unique dental needs of infants, children and young teens.
A bit of the candida fungus is in everyone’s mouth, and other bacteria control it. But when someone takes an antibiotic medication, it kills normal oral bacteria, which allows candida fungus to grow out of control. Though people of all ages are susceptible to thrush, infants, toddlers and young kids, all of whom have immature immune systems, are especially susceptible.
Moms who breastfeed their babies can get thrush on their nipples. The yeast in babies’ mouths thrives in the nipples’ moist, warm environment. Nipple thrush can bring on flaky or shiny areolas, soreness while nursing, sensitive nipples between feedings, and red, sensitive, cracked or itchy nipples. It can cause even sharp aches deep in the breast. If both you and your baby aren’t treated for thrush, you’ll just keep passing it back and forth.
Your child would likely develop the white type; it’s the most common. The tongue becomes white and is covered with creamy lesions. Trying to wipe them off can invite bleeding. Other visible indications are raised spots that resemble cottage cheese, dry mouth, cracking and redness at the corners of your mouth, loss of taste, and red or white patches in the mouth, on the tongue and in the back of the throat.
A pediatric dentist can visually detect oral thrush in your child but will confirm his diagnosis by scraping your child’s lesions for a sample and sending it to a lab. Thrush is simple to treat in healthy children. Doctor-prescribed antifungal medications that you use in your mouth clear it up in one to two weeks.
Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA uses kid-friendly techniques and explains procedures in an age-appropriate manner, both of which reduce anxiety and build trust. Please contact us today for an appointment.
By Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA
February 3, 2025
Blog Posts
