White stuff on tongue baby

Thrush

Is this your child's symptom?

A yeast infection of the mouth in young babies
White patches in the front of the mouth

Symptoms of Thrush

White, odd shaped patches in the mouth
Coats the inner cheeks or inner lips
Sometimes also coats the tongue
Sticks to the mouth. It can't be washed away or wiped off easily like milk curds.
Sometimes causes a painful mouth, decreased sucking and reduced milk intake
Mild discomfort or no symptoms in most newborns
The infant is bottle-fed or breast-fed

Cause of Thrush

Caused by a yeast (called Candida)
Occurs on parts of the mouth involved with sucking
Made worse by friction from too much time sucking on a pacifier

White Tongue Alone: Not Thrush

If a white tongue is the only finding, it's not due to thrush.
A milk diet often causes a white coated tongue.
This is normal.
It will go away after your baby starts eating solid foods.
If white patches occur inside the lips or cheeks, call your child's doctor. It's safe to call during office hours.

When to Call for Thrush

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Dehydration suspected. No urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
Age less than 1 month old and looks or acts abnormal in any way
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Fever occurs
Bleeding in the mouth
Drinking less than normal
You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Thrush, but none of the symptoms above. Reason: may need a prescription medicine to treat it.
You have other questions or concerns

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Bellevue
Everett
Federal Way
Seattle

Care Advice for Thrush

What You Should Know About Thrush:
- Thrush is common during the early months of life.
- It's caused by a yeast infection in the mouth. Most often, it's due to prolonged sucking.
- Thrush causes only mild discomfort. It's easy to treat at home.
- Here is some care advice that should help until you call your doctor.
Anti-Yeast Medicine (Prescription):
- Your doctor will probably prescribe an anti-yeast liquid medicine. Use it as follows:
- Age Under 1 Month: Use 1 mL.
- Age Over 1 Month: Use 2 mLs.
- Place in the front of the mouth on each side. Also, put it wherever you see the thrush. It doesn't do any good once it's swallowed.
- Do this 4 times per day.
- If the thrush isn't getting better, rub the medicine directly on the thrush. Use a cotton swab to do this.
- Don't feed your baby anything for 30 minutes after the medicine.
- Keep this up for at least 7 days. Also, continue it until all thrush has been gone for 3 days.
Decrease Sucking Time to 20 Minutes per Feeding:
- Reason: Too much sucking can irritate the lining of the mouth. This makes it more prone to a yeast infection. A common example of this is when a baby sleeps with a bottle.
- For severe mouth pain with bottle feeding, don't use a bottle. Reason: The nipple can make pain worse.
- Try giving fluids in a cup, spoon or syringe instead.
Limit Pacifier Use:
- Too much sucking on a pacifier can irritate the mouth.
- Limit pacifier use to times when nothing else will calm your baby.
- If your infant is using an orthodontic pacifier, switch to a smaller, regular one. Reason: Bigger ones can cause more friction in the mouth.
- Special washing or boiling of pacifiers or bottle nipples is not needed or helpful.
Special Washing of Pacifiers and Nipples - Not Helpful:
- Pacifiers and bottle nipples can be washed the usual way with soap and water.
- They do not need to be boiled or sterilized.
- They do not need to be thrown out.
- Yeast is a germ that is found in normal mouths.
- It only causes thrush if the lining of the mouth is irritated or damaged.
- Get better results by reducing nipple time and pacifier time.
- Note: Follow your doctor's advice if it is different.
Breastfeeding and Yeast Symptoms:
- If the mother's nipples are red and sore, it's probably a yeast infection.
- Use an anti-yeast cream (such as Lotrimin) on the nipple area.
- No prescription is needed.
- Put it on 4 times per day after feedings.
- Wash the cream off the nipples before each nursing. Avoid soap which dries out the skin.
- Many mothers will need treatment with an oral anti-yeast medicine (such as Diflucan). Call your PCP or OB within 24 hours for advice.
Diaper Rash Treatment:
- If there's a bad diaper rash, it can also be due to yeast.
- Use an anti-yeast cream (such as Lotrimin) on the diaper rash.
- No prescription is needed.
- Put it on 4 times per day.
- See Diaper Rash care guide.
Return to Child Care:
- Thrush cannot be spread to others, since it does not invade normal skin.
- Your child can go to child care with thrush.
What to Expect:
- With treatment, thrush usually clears up in 4 to 5 days.
- Without treatment, it clears up in 2-8 weeks.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Starts drinking less than normal
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 11/20/2022

Last Revised: 01/13/2022

Thrush and Other Causes, Plus Treatment

The fragility of a newborn can be one of the most intimidating things in the world. And naturally, you’ll do everything in your power to protect this tiny human from anything that brings worry.

You ever-so-gently lay them down, support their head, dress them lightly, and check every square inch of their body for any unusual signs. And then you notice it: Instead of being perfectly pink, your baby’s tongue looks like it has a white coating on it.

This coating can seem to appear out of nowhere. But here’s the good news — a white tongue in babies isn’t unusual. It’s typically caused by either an overgrowth of yeast — very treatable — or by something as simple as milk residue.

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida — yes, the very same type that causes vaginal yeast infections and diaper rashes.

In the case of oral thrush, though, the infection forms on parts of the mouth involved in sucking. This includes your baby’s lips, tongue, and inner cheeks.

And though we know you put baby first, and you second, you should also know that thrush can spread to the object of your baby’s sucking if you’re breastfeeding: your nipples. Conversely, yeast on your nipples (that you may not even know you have) can contribute to thrush in your baby’s mouth.

The tell-tale signs and symptoms of thrush

Not every white tongue is caused by thrush. So here’s a good rule of thumb: If you’re able to wipe or brush off a white coating, thrush isn’t the culprit. Yeast hangs on for dear life.

Also, if your baby has thrush, it’s unlikely for the white to only appear on their tongue. If you open their mouth, you’ll see a cottage-cheese coating over other areas, too, like inside their cheeks.

If you notice these symptoms, don’t panic. But thrush isn’t something to ignore, even if it’s mild and doesn’t seem to cause any problems. There’s always the chance of the infection getting worse, and if it does, your baby may have pain or discomfort that makes it harder for them to feed or latch onto your breast — and if baby’s not happy, no one’s happy.

Causes of thrush

You might wonder why many babies get oral thrush while it’s rarely a problem for adults. The answer is simple: A baby’s young immune system isn’t always strong enough to fight off germs and infections. And because of their weaker immune system, it’s much easier for yeast to grow on some parts of their little body.

But a weak immune system isn’t the only culprit. If your baby takes an antibiotic to treat another infection — say, one of those pesky ear infections — this drug can kill off good bacteria, also encouraging the growth of yeast.

Treatment for thrush

Hearing that your baby has any type of infection can cause a range of emotions. But there’s no need to worry with this one — thrush is very common and easily treatable.

Your baby’s doctor will likely prescribe a liquid antifungal that you’ll apply directly to white patches. For the medicine to work, you’ll want it to sit on their tongue or inside their mouth for as long as possible. So give your baby treatments at least 30 minutes before feedings.

Once the medicine is in their system, you can expect the infection to clear in a few days.

Additional considerations if you’re breastfeeding

To be clear, thrush happens in babies who are bottle-fed and breastfed. If you breastfeed, though, know that it’s possible for you and your baby to spread yeast to each other.

This might be a lesser known problem, but it does happen and it’s called nipple thrush. Signs include:

sore, painful nipples after pain-free breastfeeding
cracked, itchy, or blistered nipples
achy breasts after feedings

If you also have thrush, it isn’t enough to treat your baby. Sure, medicine will clear their infection. But if you don’t clear your own infection, you’ll continue to spread thrush back and forth. There are a lot of things you and baby will share over a lifetime — this shouldn’t be one of them.

Applying a topical antifungal cream — available over the- counter in the form of yeast infection creams and others — on and around your nipples after each feeding is usually enough to kill the fungus.

It’s possible that you might need a prescription antifungal for a particularly stubborn infection. Since yeast likes warm, moist areas, let the skin of your breasts air dry as much as possible before putting your bra back on.

Don’t forget to wash off any leftover residue of the cream before nursing. Your symptoms will also clear up in a few days.

It’s completely normal to worry about your baby. And, honestly, you should never let anyone tell you that your worries are foolish. If you see a white coating on your baby’s tongue, you might immediately think it’s thrush and call the pediatrician — and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But there’s also a chance that what you believe to be yeast is only milk residue.

Distinguishing between the two can be tricky, as they have similar appearances. One of the easiest ways to tell the difference is to try and wipe off the residue with a warm, damp cloth.

If the residue comes off or becomes less noticeable, you’re dealing with milk residue and not thrush. Keep in mind that milk residue is more noticeable after feedings and only appears on the tongue.

What causes this buildup of milk? Simply put, a lack of saliva.

A newborn’s mouth is different from an adult’s mouth in that babies don’t produce a lot of saliva during the first few months after birth. (That is, until they are about 4 months. Then it’s time for a months-long vacay in droolville.) The less saliva, the harder it is for their mouths to wash away milk.

Milk residue may be more likely to occur if your baby has tongue tie, a condition that restricts movement of their tongue. Your baby’s tongue might be unable to touch the roof of their mouth, in which case the lack of friction causes a buildup of milk residue.

This can also happen if your baby has a high palate, and their tongue can’t reach the roof of their mouth.

Regardless of cause, though, milk residue isn’t permanent, nor a reason for concern. A white tongue goes away once your baby’s mouth produces more saliva, or when they start to eat solid foods.

In the meantime, you can consider gently wipe off the residue using a soft, damp cloth after feedings, though this may not be necessary.

Just because thrush is common in babies doesn’t mean you should ignore the problem. Untreated thrush can cause pain and discomfort, and if so, you’ll have a fussy baby on your hands.

See a doctor if your baby develops any creamy, white lesions in their mouth, especially if you can’t remove the whiteness with a damp cloth. It’s likely thrush, but a pediatrician can run tests if they suspect something else.

If your baby has thrush, see your own doctor if your nipples or breasts become sore. It’s important that you’re treated at the same time to stop the spread of the infection.

Gently wiping or brushing your baby’s tongue after each feeding can help prevent a white tongue caused by milk.

As far as thrush goes, your best weapon is to sterilize all equipment used for feedings. This includes bottles, nipples, and your breast pump. You can take it a step further and sterilize pacifiers and any toys your baby puts in their mouth.

If you have thrush on your nipples, prevent recurrent infections by frequently changing your breast pads, and washing your breastfeeding bras in hot water.

Also, if you express or freeze your breast milk with thrush, consider giving this milk to your baby while you’re both being treated. If you give this milk to your baby after the infection clears, there could be a greater chance that the thrush could return.

If you see a white coating on your baby’s tongue, know that it happens and it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It could be thrush, or it may be something as simple as milk residue.

In the event of thrush, these yeast infections are easily treatable, so see your pediatrician. Your sweet baby will be sticking their perfectly pink tongue out at you before you know it!

White coating on the tongue - what does it mean and how to get rid of it? | Helpful Hints

Contents

White coating on the tongue is not always a cause for concern. However, if we still see this, it is worth contacting a specialist. Such a symptom may indicate a bacterial infection, anemia, sexually transmitted diseases, as well as HIV infection.

White coating on the tongue is a common condition. This may be a sign of poor oral hygiene, but it also portends diseases such as athlete's foot, anemia, or other diseases. Check what the white residue on the tongue means.

White coating on the tongue - what does it mean?

White coating on the tongue is a commonly reported symptom. Contrary to appearances, this does not always mean illness. Often this is simply the result of natural processes occurring in the body.

Plaque on the tongue can also be caused by poor oral hygiene. Remember to always clean your tongue when brushing your teeth. You can buy a special brush designed for cleaning the tongue. To clean the tongue well, you need to wipe the brush several times from the root to the tip of the tongue, and also from one side to the other, and then rinse your mouth with water.

Paradoxically, a white coating on the tongue can mean too much oral care. A coated tongue can be the result of overuse of mouthwashes containing hydrogen peroxide.

If we suffer from vomiting or diarrhea, our body may need more fluids. White coating on the tongue can portend dehydration.

Coated tongue can also be the result of cigarette smoking or drinking too much coffee.

White coating on the tongue - what diseases does it portend?

A white coating on the tongue often appears when we have a bacterial infection. In the case of streptococcal angina, a white coating on the tongue is usually accompanied by white ooze on the throat and purulent infiltrates on the tonsils.

In scarlet fever there is also a white coating on the tongue. The color of the tongue changes to crimson over time.

Accumulation of white coating on the tongue may be the cause of leukoplakia (white keratosis), a precancerous condition occurring in the oral cavity that results from abnormal keratinization of the mucosal epithelium. As a result of irritation, white spots or stripes appear on it. Leukoplakia is most commonly caused by smoking cigarettes or pipes, drinking alcohol, not pairing well with dentures, or using spicy spices.

Other causes of white discoloration of the tongue:

mycosis of the oral cavity (a disease of Candida albicans caused by Candida albicans in addition to a white coating with the consistency of sour milk, accompanied by pain, stinging, erosions and ulcers)
sexually transmitted diseases, e. g. syphilis
HIV virus
lichen planus
anemia
diabetes
inflammation of the digestive tract

White coating on the tongue - child and infant

Plaque in a child, as in an adult, can be a sign of poor oral hygiene or a bacterial infection (for pharyngitis and tonsillitis). In the case of mycosis, the white coating of the tongue is accompanied by pain and burning of the tongue. Sediment on the child's tongue can also be a sign of dehydration.

A white coating on a child's tongue should not be a cause for concern. A newborn's body does not produce as much saliva as an adult's body, so it often shows milk sediment. A lumpy coating on the tongue that looks like cottage cheese may in turn indicate a thrush infection, most often caused by Candida albicans.

White plaque on the tongue - how to get rid of it?

White coating on the tongue is often not a cause for concern. Sometimes it is enough to change hygiene habits or give up some spices. However, if the symptom persists and we cannot get rid of it, it is worth asking the doctor's opinion. To cope with a white coating on the tongue, which is caused by one of the diseases, it is necessary to recognize and implement appropriate treatment.

White coating on the child's tongue - causes and treatment

Article

It has long been believed that the tongue speaks about the state of the whole organism, because even before the onset of symptoms of some disease, the tongue already signals about violations in the functioning of organs. There are many microorganisms on the mucous membrane of the tongue, and when bacteria or fungi appear, dead cells get stuck between the papillae - this is how plaque appears.

Normal coating on the tongue

Coating on the tongue does not always indicate a violation, because in some cases it is considered the norm. First of all, the healthy color of the tongue is pale pink. In newborn babies, a uniform white coating may appear after feeding. Older children may have a thin white coating, but if you can see the color of the tongue through it, this is also considered the norm. Usually such plaque can be cleaned with a toothbrush and does not require treatment.

Normal tongue:

not enlarged, medium size;
pale pink;
is odour-free;
moisture and papillae are moderately expressed;
no cracks or wounds;
has normal sensitivity.

Causes and treatment of white coating on the tongue

White coating that is not removed, tightly fits the tongue and has an unpleasant odor is not considered the norm, because such a coating is the result of the multiplication of bacteria and fungi.

Children often complain with him about:

abdominal pain;
bloating;
change in appetite and stool.

These symptoms may signal a disturbance in the functioning of the digestive system. Accordingly, to solve the problem, it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist, examine the digestive system and find the cause of the violation.

Often in newborns and children under one year of age, a white coating can cover not only the tongue, but also the lips and cheeks, which indicates thrush - an infection caused by Candida fungi. The reason for this raid is still fragile immunity. Soothers and bottles must be carefully sterilized to avoid disease. Sometimes thrush can also appear in older children - most often these are children with weakened immune systems and asthmatics.