Oral Thrush: Causes, Symptoms & Effective Treatments

Oral thrush is a bacterial infection that occurs inside the mouth, resulting in white bumps on the tongue or cheeks. The treatments for thrush vary upon the age of the patient.

Toddlers

• The Mayo Clinic reports that oral thrush in toddlers or healthy adults often requires no medicinal treatment. Usually, increasing the intake of unsweetened yogurt clears up the condition.

Infants

• Infants who develop thrush typically receive oral antifungal medication in liquid form.

Nursing Mothers

• When her child becomes infected with thrush, a doctor typically prescribes an antifungal cream for the baby's mother to utilize on her breasts. This prevents the mother from reinfecting her baby with thrush.

Older Children and Adults

• Physicians typically recommend unsweetened yogurt as the first treatment for oral thrush in older children and adults. Acidophilus capsules also assist with the infection.

Stubborn Infections

• Physicians typically prescribe antifungal medication for thrush infections that do not clear up with other treatments or in adults who have a weakened immune system due to illness or disease. These medications are usually administered as a tablet, liquid or lozenge.