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Overview
Thrush can make eating painful.
Rinse after inhaled steroids.
When to get medical care
Call 911Not an emergency.
Get care todayBaby not feeding.
See a doctor soonWhite patches in the mouth.
Causes
Caused by candida yeast.
OwieClear has pages on 1 condition that can cause white patches in the mouth that wipe off. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Oral thrush (yeast in the mouth)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
A yeast infection that causes white, creamy patches on the tongue or inside the cheeks that may wipe off and leave red spots.
What you can do at home
- Rinse mouth after inhalers.
Medicines
Antifungal medicine.
At the doctor
Diagnosed by exam.
Questions you may be asked
- Medicines
The exam
A mouth exam.
Tests
- None
Prevention
Lower risk.
- Rinse after inhalers
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.