Oral Yeast Infection Causes in Infants and Adults

Most commonly occurring in infants, oral yeast infection causes are generally limited to a few possibilities. Also known as thrush, a Yeast Infection of the mouth manifests with white patches on the tongue and insides of the mouth that don’t come off with brushing or scraping. This type of Yeast Infection is rare in older children and adults, but it does occur.

Thrush in Newborns 

One of the common oral yeast infection causes in newborns is a vaginal yeast infection in the mother that passes to the baby at birth. In the womb babies are in a sterile environment, and their immune systems have not yet encountered anything they would be required to fight off. Thus they are very susceptible to bacteria and other infections from the moment the gestational sac is perforated and they enter the birth canal.

Thrush is not the most dangerous infection a newborn can pick up during the birthing process, and luckily it can be treated easily. If you do have a yeast infection during your pregnancy, however, you should seek treatment to avoid passing it to the baby.

Click here to start treating an Oral Yeast Infection using proven methods

Other Causes of Thrush in Infants

Another of the likely oral yeast infection causes in infants is a result of their feeding habits. Breast milk contains natural sugars, and combined with the warm, moist environment of a baby’s mouth this can be a breeding ground for yeast. Thrush can also occur in formula fed babies, as formula is often milk based and dairy products are another favorite of yeast. Babies sleep a lot, and when their mouths are closed the yeast can feed on leftover sugars in the mouth and become a problem.

Whenever a breastfed baby shows signs of a yeast infection, the mother should be treated as well. Thrush can be passed back and forth from mother to child if both are not treated. Any bottles, pacifiers or anything else that is put in the baby’s mouth should be sterilized before using again to kill yeast on the surface.

Oral Yeast Infection in Older Populations 

While not as common, older children and adults may develop thrush as well. Oral yeast infection causes in older people are different from in infants in some ways, but the fact remains that the mouth is the right environment for yeast to thrive.

When an older person develops thrush, it is often as a result of a systemic yeast infection. An ingested medication or natural treatment should clear up the thrush in this type of situation. Poor oral hygiene can also result in thrush. Much like in babies, if sugars are left inside the mouth for long periods, such as overnight, yeast may grow. Be sure to brush your teeth after every meal and especially before you go to bed. Don’t eat or drink in between brushing and bedtime.

Taking antibiotics can result in an oral yeast infection as well, but it is less common than a Yeast Infection of the genitals. Taking probiotic supplements while on antibiotics can help prevent this particular cause.

Oral yeast infection causes are usually fairly simple and easy to rectify. Recurrent thrush in either an infant or an adult is generally a sign that the infection has become systemic. Quick treatment, especially in babies, is the best way to prevent the Yeast Infection from spreading.

Click here for some proven methods to treat an Oral Yeast Infection