White gooey residue in my mouth?

[ThisLittleTrout]

Hello again.

Over the past several weeks, I have been experiencing this strange problem where these white, stringy, gooey clumps have been appearing in my mouth, forming in the corners or along the contours of my cheeks and gums. This has been happening only in the mornings, roughly 45-60 minutes after I have brushed my teeth. I have never seen this happen after I brush at night, or any other time of the day for that matter. I find it really disgusting and want to know how to stop it.

I suspected oral thrush to be the culprit when it started to become a common occurrence. However, I have not shown any other symptoms, so it does not seem likely to me. Could my breakfast or toothpaste be the culprit? For breakfast, I usually eat a bagel with eggs, sometimes including sausage too. The toothpaste I use is Colgate Total, which is a whitening toothpaste that uses stannous fluoride.

Besides thrush, I’ve heard that this could either be the accumulation of plaque and bacteria that has nowhere else to stick to (and therefore nothing to worry about) or the lining of the cheek sloughing off. What do you think could be the reason for my case?

 

[Dr M]

Some people have a reaction to certain toothpastes, where there is some sloughing of the cheeks after brushing. I doubt if your diet has an influence here. Try and switch your toothpaste. If there is no change, maybe consider going to your dentist for a consult. There is still a chance that it could be a fungal infection similar to oral thrush. The fungal infection is called candida and it can present in various ways. It might be necessary to take a short course of anti-fungal treatment.

 

[MattKW]

Extremely unlikely to be thrush.
But I have stringy skin often in patients using mouthwashes with essential oils, like Listerine. Nothing to be concerned about, it’s just acting as an irritant.

 

[Dental cure and care]

You mentioned that oral thrush seems unlikely due to the absence of other symptoms (such as soreness or a burning sensation), it’s worth noting that thrush can sometimes present with minimal symptoms initially. However, given your description and lack of other signs (like white patches on the tongue or inner cheeks), this may be less likely.
There are several potential explanations for the symptoms you’re experiencing, addressing hydration levels and reviewing your oral hygiene practices will likely yield positive results. If symptoms persist despite these changes, seeking professional advice is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

[MattKW]

Thrush is the result of an imbalance in the natural flora of the mouth, allowing a normal commensal, C. albicans, to take control. This is more likely in people with local factors like xerostomia, inhaled steroids, full dentures, high CHO diet; and systemic factors like broad spectrum ABx, immunosuppresion, poorly controlled diabetes, Vit B deficiences - all of which are much more common in the elderly or seriously ill patient.
Degree of hydration in a healthy person is not related to Candida or stringy clumps of skin coming off.
I would try changing the toothpaste (seems to occur with some whiteners) and/or your mouthwash.
Google Scholar for: "oral mucosal desquamation toothpaste mouthwash"