1. Look for the Growth and Spread of Lesions
The symptoms of oral thrush are the same for both adult men and adult women, and the most easily identifiable sign of the condition is the distinctive lesions that form in the mouth and on the tongue.
Oral thrush lesions are white in color, and abnormally large deposits of the Candida fungus that causes it may also have a red underlayer. They're sometimes inflamed and elevated compared to adjacent tissue. These lesions can spread throughout the mouth and into the esophagus, causing throat pain and swallowing difficulties.
2. Watch for Bleeding
If you have a particularly sensitive mouth or have a widespread case of oral thrush, the lesions may bleed when they're irritated. In particular, chewing food may trigger some gentle bleeding.
Difficulties arise because of the many conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. Some mouth cancer tumors appear and behave much like thrush infections. Only a doctor can identify the cause of your oral lesions.
3. Feel a Burn Accompanying the Lesions?
Adult men and women sometimes complain of a burning or tingling sensation in the mouth or on the tongue caused by thrush mouth, though affected children and infants seldom make similar complaints. It's believed that this is because adult sufferers usually contract the condition as the result of weakened oral health, smoking or compromised immunity, making oral tissues more vulnerable. The vast majority of the time, your dentist or doctor will be able to diagnose thrush mouth through a simple physical examination of your lesions and a few questions. However, if you're at increased risk for oral cancer, a biopsy may be ordered just to be on the safe side. If so, your doctor or dentist will remove a portion of one of the lesions and submit it to a lab for biological analysis.
