Anyone, in any age bracket, can become vulnerable to an oral yeast infection. Although mouth yeast infection, aka oral thrush, is more common in children, that doesn't mean it's unusual in adults or the elderly.
Thrush, by itself, ranges from simply annoying, to a minor health threat. However, if left untreated and allowed to spread, it can become very serious. Oral yeast infection can spread into the entire digestive system, where it's more likely to enter the blood stream and affect other internal organs.
What Causes Oral Yeast Infection?
The mouth is a hot, moist place - an ideal environment for yeast to grow. Candida Albicans, 
the most common form of yeast related to yeast infections, is a normal thing. However, there are various reasons why your body might become host to full-blown thrush.
Some of the causes behind mouth yeast infections are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Too much sugar
- Recent (or current) illness
- Immune system problems
- Drugs that weaken the immune system
- Too much antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medicine
There are also a very wide range of medical conditions, lifestyle choices, and diet imbalances that can all lead to an overgrowth of Candida. For more information, read about yeast infection causes.
What Are the Symptoms of Thrush?
The easiest-to-detect symptom of a yeast infection in the mouth, is the one that you can see: it will look like curdled milk. The spots or ribbons of yeast growth will be creamy, white or yellow, and will grow on reddened skin. If you try to scrape or brush it off, it either won't come off, or you'll cause yourself to bleed in the process.
However, that specific symptom of oral yeast infection is not always present. You might, instead, only have red skin on the tongue and other surfaces of the mouth. Occasionally, this skin will begin to peel off, especially from the tongue.
Another symptom of a mouth yeast infection is red, cracking skin appearing at the corners of the mouth.
Often, but not always, the affected skin will burn.
Because thrush is much more common in infants, here are some signs to watch for:
- Restless, angry behavior during feeding, or refusal to eat.
- Sudden lack of interest in pacifiers
How to Treat Oral Thrush
The basic answer is anti-fungal medication. However, with adults, oral yeast infection is often a sign of another problem. Read about yeast infection causes and preventing yeast infection for information that will help you avoid a repeat infection.
Click for a detailed discussion of the different kinds of yeast infection medicine.
Finally, for steps that will help you avoid spreading a mouth yeast infection and specific tips about avoiding a recurring case of thrush, see the article yeast infection treatment.
Other Notes about Mouth & Oral Yeast Infection
Anywhere the infection spreads throughout your mouth, throat, and digestive system, that skin will absorb water and nutrients poorly. This means that the longer the Candida infection spreads, the more likely you are to become dehydrated and suffer malnutrition.
Also, once the infection reaches the upper gastrointestinal system, you start to be at risk of ulcers and yeast infections in other parts of your body's internal organs. A yeast infection that takes root in your bloodstream is a serious problem. It can spread to the brain, causing sudden problems thinking or controlling your own moods.
Arm yourself with information, the best diet and treatment, and your doctor's advice. Curing a yeast infection is usually a fairly simple matter - but letting it run rampant is serious business.
