Oral Thrush in a 13 yo?

[poohandwendy]

Preface, I have an appt for my DD next tuesday, couldn't get anything earlier.

My DD has what looks to be thrush in her mouth. (The school nurse agreed that is what it appears to be). Weird thing is she is not sick and has not been recently sick. No fever, no other symptoms.

I have been looking online to see what could cause this and I am stumped. She is not diabetic and doesn't have any signs of undiagnosed diabetes. No reason to suspect HIV (another cause mentioned online). She doesn't have symptoms of mono.

From what I am reading, it seems an autoimmunity issue seems to be a possible cause, but I can't think of any other issue she has had to pinpoint what could cause an issue like that. She is of normal weight, active... on the thin side if anything. She is 5' 9" and weighs about 128. She has no health issues that we know of, no dental issues. Doesn't smoke or take BC pills, no recent antibiotics. No dry mouth symptoms. Doesn't eat all that much sugary stuff. Very good with dental hygiene, no cavities. (just going over some stuff mentioned on medline.com)

I am just at a loss. Obviously, I am not sure this is thrush, but I can't think of anything else it could be. Since she is not sick or displaying any symptoms at all besides the white stuff in her mouth, I see no reason to rush her to the ER, LOL. The earliest non-illness appt I could get is Tues.

Just wondering if there is anyone who has dealt with this in a well adolescent child? I am not super worried about it, but a bit weirded out because it is so strange.

 

[Orange County Girl]

Has she been on any medications lately?
Last year my then 6 yr. old DD got it from her asthma medicine.

 

[poohandwendy]

Has she been on any medications lately?
Last year my then 6 yr. old DD got it from her asthma medicine.

No, that is the weird thing, no medications...no recent illnesses. I am just stumped.

 

[poohandwendy]

Just bumping in hopes that someone else has any experience with this...

 

[Lmnop]

My brother (age - late 40s) had it a few years ago. His doctor said it was from refilling water bottles. I guess it's the make-up of the bottle because obviously people use Nalgene type bottles over and over.

 

[Frye7127]

I am sure this is not it, but have to mention as one of our middle schools just had a complete riot over it. Oral sex can lead to thrush. There I said it and surely not your daughter's case, but just wanted to bring it up.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

have you changed toothpaste recently?
My moms dentist sent her to her Dr for what he swore was Thrush they treated her twice and it did not go away. After lots of searching online she read the symptoms of a reaction to toothpaste can look like Thrush she went back to her old toothpaste and the symptoms went away. I have no idea how she found her info and she is on vacation but it might be another option? I know the toothpaste she could not use was one that was supposed to be a really strong whitening one

 

[poohandwendy]

I am sure this is not it, but have to mention as one of our middle schools just had a complete riot over it. Oral sex can lead to thrush. There I said it and surely not your daughter's case, but just wanted to bring it up.

That's interesting, but I have been sexually 'active' for many, many years... never had thrush. Most of my friends have also been 'active' for years and years, and none of them have ever had thrush. So, I am thinking that is probably an unlikely cause.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have problems with "whitening toothpastes", can't use them anymore. Also does she use any rinses? Stop using them.

 

[poohandwendy]

You know, we did just switch toothpaste, and it is a whitening type. maybe I will get the old brand again and have her switch back. She is a power tooth brusher...you know, teen girl constantly looking in the mirror, primping and such. Maybe she is using too much toothpaste or something? Can you brush too much?

 

[poohandwendy]

I have problems with "whitening toothpastes", can't use them anymore. Also does she use any rinses? Stop using them.

We use regular mint listerine here, that hasn't changed. Maybe I will have her stop that too and see if it makes a difference.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Whitening toothpastes are very bad for the mouth tissues. As I have found out. They can actually "burn".

I had sores and then had a fungal infection set it. Like thrush.

Also cinnamon, no cinnaman toothpastes, gum, rinses, etc..

 

[JESW]

Not to be an alarmist, but my dh got this two years ago and I had to take him to the ER per his dr. They don't know how he got it, but he also had pneuomia (sp?), an ulcer and a compromised immune system! He was very sick and ended up in the hospital for 3 nights. (he didn't "feel" sick but his tounge was covered with white - it was gross.)

If it were me I wouldn't take any chances and take her to the ER, but that's because of my experieince with dh..

Hope she feels better soon!

Jill

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We use regular mint listerine here, that hasn't changed. Maybe I will have her stop that too and see if it makes a difference.

Yes, she needs to restore the normal flora of bacteria in her mouth.


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oral-thrush/DS00408/DSECTION=7

Treating oral thrush in healthy adults
If you're a healthy adult with oral thrush, you may be able to control the infection by eating unsweetened yogurt or taking acidophilus capsules or liquid. Acidophilus is available in natural food stores and many drugstores. Some brands need to be refrigerated to maintain their potency. Yogurt and acidophilus don't destroy the fungus, but they can help restore the normal bacterial flora in your body. If this isn't effective, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication.

 

[poohandwendy]

Whitening toothpastes are very bad for the mouth tissues. As I have found out. They can actually "burn".

I had sores and then had a fungal infection set it. Like thrush.

Also cinnamon, no cinnaman toothpastes, gum, rinses, etc..

I'll bet this is the problem. I am definitely going to have her quit the whitening toothpaste.

Not to be an alarmist, but my dh got this two years ago and I had to take him to the ER per his dr. They don't know how he got it, but he also had pneuomia (sp?), an ulcer and a compromised immune system! He was very sick and ended up in the hospital for 3 nights. (he didn't "feel" sick but his tounge was covered with white - it was gross.)

If it were me I wouldn't take any chances and take her to the ER, but that's because of my experieince with dh..

Hope she feels better soon!

Wow, that is scary. I am not too concerned at this point, as it hasn't gotten any worse and she is feeling perfectly fine. Any changes and i will take her in before her appt on Tues.

 

[poohandwendy]

Yes, she needs to restore the normal flora of bacteria in her mouth.


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oral-thrush/DS00408/DSECTION=7

Thanks, I will have her try that and see if it helps.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I was also going to post about an upswing in thrush from teens engaging in oral sex.
Not to imply it toward your DD specifically.....but for the education of us all.

 

[ducklite]

I get it from my asthma medication. it's actually pretty easily cured with...

(going to get the bottle to get the spelling right)

Clortrimazole Troche. They are wafers--thinner and a little wider than a Rolaids, but about the same "consistency." If you are old enough to remember "Necco Wafers" they are about that size. The flavor is a reasonably pleasant mild minty flavor. You pop it in your mouth and let it dissolve--takes about 2-3 minutes. You can use it as needed-- for me it's a couple times a week. For a really bad case of thrush you might need up to five a day, I catch it early and get away with two a week.

Also try regular old Colgate toothpaste. My doctor says it's the best as far as dealing with thrush because it has no coloring and no peroxide or other whitening ingredients, but contains flouride which not all toothpastes do.

Anne