White Palate in Children: What It Means and What to Do

A white palate is often a warning sign that something's wrong with children's health. We'll tell you why and how to treat this problem.

Reviewed and approved by the dentist Vanesa Evangelina Buffa.

Written by Vanesa Evangelina Buffa

Last update: 27 May, 2023

Taking care of children’s health is a real challenge for parents. Finding a white palate in children is a wake-up call and sometimes, this sign is accompanied by discomfort in their mouths.

In this article, we’ll tell you what this problem is and what you should do about it. Keep reading to learn more!

White palate in children

White palate in children is due to a very common fungal infection, especially in babies under 6 months old. This pathology is known as oral candidiasis or thrush.

The fungus that causes it is the yeast candida albicans, which inhabits various parts of the body, such as the digestive tract and the oral cavity. In addition, it easily reaches the mouth of babies through contact with their mother’s saliva or by passing through the birth canal.

In general, the presence of the fungus in the mouth doesn’t cause problems, as the bacteria and the immune system maintain a balance in the flora of the oral cavity.

The problem arises when, for some reason, this balance is broken and the fungus proliferates. This gives rise to thrush.

Candidiasis in the mouth not only causes the palate of children to turn white but also affects other mucous membranes such as the lips, cheeks, and tongue. In some infants, this condition causes discomfort during feeding.

In addition, a baby with thrush can transmit the fungus to the mother’s breasts if breastfed. This may cause discomfort or inconvenience during breastfeeding.

Symptoms of thrush

White palate in children is one of the most characteristic manifestations of thrush. But, as we told you, the roof of the mouth isn’t the only place affected.

The white appearance of thrush on the mucous membranes is very characteristic, as it has the appearance of coagulated milk or yogurt. In addition, when trying to remove these thick plaques with gauze, they don’t come off and remain attached to the affected surface.

Finally, thrush in babies may be accompanied by other signs or symptoms:

• Problems eating: This isn’t always the case, but for some children, thrush causes discomfort when feeding. Especially if the infection spreads to the throat area.
• Cracked skin: If candidiasis develops in the corners of the mouth, it’s often accompanied by cracks and sores.
• Diaper rash: The presence of the fungus in the digestive system leads to it being passed in the stool. This can cause skin irritation in the diaper area.
• Bleeding: Scraping or attempting to remove the whitish plaques from the mucous membranes may cause bleeding in the area. Traumatizing the lesions should be avoided.
• Dysphonia: In more severe cases, the infection may spread to the pharynx and cause aphonia in the child. This becomes evident when the baby cries.
• Injury to the mother’s breasts: If the baby feeds through the breast, the fungus can be transmitted and cause cracked or sore breasts.

Treating white palate in children

The first step in solving the problem of white palate in children is to seek professional help. As soon as you notice any symptoms suggestive of thrush, it’s important to consult your pediatrician. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will be able to explain treatment options.

Sometimes thrush goes away on its own within a few weeks. Other times, antifungal treatment, such as gels or topical products on the lesions in the mouth, is necessary.

In addition, the following hygiene measures may also be helpful:

• Properly sterilize pacifiers and baby bottles.
• Clean the nipple and areola after each feeding.
• Change breast pads frequently.
• Keep objects and toys used by the baby clean, especially those put in the mouth.
• Have caregivers and the child wash their hands frequently.
• Wash clothes that have been in contact with the fungus in a washing cycle with hot water above 50 °C.
• If you extract breast milk, keep it frozen until consumption. If it has been contaminated, it should be thrown away.

If the white palate doesn’t disappear after a few weeks of treatment or reappears frequently, it’s best to return to the pediatrician to rule out other health problems.

Can I continue breastfeeding if my baby has thrush?

As we told you, thrush can be present in a baby’s mouth and reach the mother’s breast and vice versa. And the situation can be uncomfortable for both the child and the mother.

For this reason, when it comes to treatment against the infection, it should include both the mother and the baby. In the meantime, it’s important to continue breastfeeding.

Ideally, you should breastfeed for less time, but more frequently. Also, start feedings with the breast that hurts less in order to keep the milk flowing until the infection disappears.

Washing the breasts with clean water after each feeding and letting them air dry promote recovery. If you develop cracks or experience a lot of pain, your doctor may recommend the use of a medication that’s compatible with breastfeeding.

White palate in infants is an uncomfortable situation that involves taking certain steps to help restore the mouth to normal, but it’s not a reason to abandon breastfeeding.

On the contrary, it’s a condition that is easy to resolve. So, if there’s a possibility that your little one has thrush, seek professional help. With simple care, your baby’s mouth will be healthy again.