How to Determine Whether It Is Thrush

Oral thrush—also known as “snow mouth disease” or candidiasis—is a common fungal infection of the oral cavity in children. Diagnosis is typically based on predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, and response to treatment. It is caused by *Candida albicans* and frequently occurs in individuals with compromised immunity—including infants and children receiving long-term immunosuppressants or glucocorticoids, pregnant women, and elderly individuals. Clinically, it presents as diffuse, variably sized white, curd-like pseudomembranes on the oral mucosa, tongue, pharynx, and gingiva. In severe cases, these lesions resemble cottage cheese. The surrounding mucosa shows no erythema, vesicles, or tenderness; feeding remains unaffected, and the lesions cannot be easily wiped away. Antifungal therapy and alkalinization of the oral environment promote healing.

However, to definitively confirm oral thrush, prompt evaluation by a dentist or oral medicine specialist at an accredited hospital is essential. A fungal scraping test should be performed: if hyphae are observed microscopically in the scraped specimen, the diagnosis of oral thrush is confirmed.

If a child develops oral thrush, irritability and refusal to eat are common. Rinsing the mouth with a baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) solution—or gently applying the solution with a cotton swab to affected white lesions—may help. Additionally, topical antifungal ointments applied directly to the lesions can effectively suppress fungal growth.