Throat Mouth

Throat Mouth

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Your mouth, or oral cavity, is an oval-shaped opening in the skull. It starts at the lips and ends at the throat. It’s important to several bodily functions, including breathing, speaking, and digesting food. In a healthy mouth, tissues are moist, pink, odor-free and pain-free. Brushing, flossing and visiting a dentist help keep your mouth healthy.

National Cancer Institute SEER Training Modules. Mouth. (https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/digestive/regions/mouth.html) Accessed 9/14/2021.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health. (https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/oral-health) Accessed 9/14/2021.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth. (https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-teeth-and-mouth) Accessed 9/14/2021.
Victoria State Government. Mouth. (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/mouth) Accessed 9/14/2021.

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Our providers specialize in head and neck surgery and oncology; facial plastic and reconstructive surgery; general otolaryngology; laryngology; otology, neurotology and lateral skull base disorders; pediatric otolaryngology; rhinology, sinus and skull base surgery; surgical sleep; dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and allied hearing, speech and balance services.

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Your mouth is part of your digestive system. This oval-shaped opening in your skull starts at your lips and ends at your throat. Your mouth allows air and nutrients to enter your body, and it also helps you speak. It’s also called the oral cavity. The inner lining of your cheek is known as the buccal mucosa.

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The mouth is involved in several essential bodily functions:
The boundaries of your mouth hold food in place for chewing and allow you to form sounds and words:
The palate is the roof of your mouth, which separates your mouth from your nasal cavity, or nose area. It’s made of bone and muscle.
In a healthy mouth, the tissues are pink, firm and moist. If you have a healthy mouth, your breath will smell pleasant or neutral.
Healthy gums are firm and pink, not red or white. They are not swollen or sore. Teeth should be firmly planted in the gums, not wiggly. It should not hurt to chew or brush your teeth.
A healthy mouth will not have any bumps, flaps, gaps or rough patches.
Many problems can affect your mouth. Examples include:
Problems with oral health can be a sign that you have another health problem. Talk to a healthcare provider or dentist if you have any problems with your oral cavity.
You can keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy with good oral hygiene , regular dental checkups and a healthy lifestyle. For example:
Call a healthcare provider or dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms in your mouth:
Your mouth, or oral cavity, is important for breathing, talking, eating and drinking. In a healthy mouth, tissues are moist, pink, firm and pain-free. Talk to a healthcare provider or dentist if you have any oral concerns, and get a dental checkup at least once a year.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/27/2021.

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Sore throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/content/sore-throats. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Sore throat. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/approach-to-the-patient-with-nasal-and-pharyngeal-symptoms/sore-throat. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Seven tips to help you prevent a sore throat. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. https://www.enthealth.org/be_ent_smart/seven-tips-to-help-you-prevent-a-sore-throat/. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sore-throat.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2021.
Drutz, JE. Sore throat in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Stead W. Symptomatic treatment of acute pharyngitis in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Slippery Elm. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Feb. 22, 2019.
Taking care of your voice. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/takingcare.aspx. Accessed Feb. 18, 2019.
Chow AW, et al. Evaluation of acute pharyngitis in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 20, 2019.
Kellerman RD, et al. Pharyngitis. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2019. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 21, 2019.
Common colds: Protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2021.
AskMayoExpert. Streptococcal pharyngitis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018.
Kahrilas, PJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 25, 2019.
Gonzalez MD, et al. New developments in rapid diagnostic testing for children. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2018;32:19.
AIDS and opportunistic infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/livingwithhiv/opportunisticinfections.html. Accessed Feb. 26, 2019.
Shelov SP, et al. Ears, Nose and Throat. In: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books; 2014.

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A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own.
Strep throat (streptococcal infection), a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications. Other less common causes of sore throat might require more complex treatment.
The throat includes the esophagus, windpipe (trachea), voice box (larynx), tonsils and epiglottis.
Symptoms of a sore throat can vary depending on the cause. Signs and symptoms might include:
Infections causing a sore throat might result in other signs and symptoms, including:
Take your child to a doctor if your child's sore throat doesn't go away with the first drink in the morning, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Get immediate care if your child has severe signs and symptoms such as:
If you're an adult, see your doctor if you have a sore throat and any of the following associated problems, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery:
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Viruses that cause the common cold and the flu also cause most sore throats. Less often, bacterial infections cause sore throats.
Viral illnesses that cause a sore throat include:
Many bacterial infections can cause a sore throat. The most common is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) which causes strep throat.
Other causes of a sore throat include:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive system disorder in which stomach acids back up in the food pipe (esophagus).
Other signs or symptoms may include heartburn, hoarseness, regurgitation of stomach contents and the sensation of a lump in your throat.
HIV infection. A sore throat and other flu-like symptoms sometimes appear early after someone is infected with HIV.
Also, someone who is HIV-positive might have a chronic or recurring sore throat due to a fungal infection called oral thrush or due to a viral infection called cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can be serious in people with compromised immune systems.
Rarely, an infected area of tissue (abscess) in the throat or swelling of the small cartilage "lid" that covers the windpipe (epiglottitis) can cause a sore throat. Both can block the airway, creating a medical emergency.
Although anyone can get a sore throat, some factors make you more susceptible, including:
The best way to prevent sore throats is to avoid the germs that cause them and practice good hygiene. Follow these tips and teach your child to do the same:
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Types of Fungal Diseases Aspergillosis
Types of Fungal Diseases Aspergillosis en español
Types of Fungal Diseases Blastomycosis
Types of Fungal Diseases Candidiasis
Types of Fungal Diseases Candidiasis Invasive candidiasis
Types of Fungal Diseases Coccidioidomycosis
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Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus

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Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida . Candida normally lives on the skin and inside the body, in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems. 1 Sometimes, Candida can multiply and cause an infection if the environment inside the mouth, throat, or esophagus changes in a way that encourages fungal growth.
Candidiasis in the mouth and throat is also called thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis. Candidiasis in the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach) is called esophageal candidiasis or Candida esophagitis. Esophageal candidiasis is one of the most common infections in people living with HIV/AIDS. 2
Candidiasis in the mouth and throat can have many different symptoms, including:
Symptoms of candidiasis in the esophagus usually include pain when swallowing and difficulty swallowing.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that you think are related to candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus.
Candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus is uncommon in healthy adults. People who are at higher risk for getting candidiasis in the mouth and throat include babies, especially those younger than 1 month of age, and people with at least one of these factors: 3-7
Most people who get candidiasis in the esophagus have weakened immune systems, meaning that their bodies don’t fight infections well. This includes people living with HIV/AIDS and people who have blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. People who get candidiasis in the esophagus often also have candidiasis in the mouth and throat.
Ways to help prevent candidiasis in the mouth and throat include:
Candida normally lives in the mouth, throat, and the rest of the digestive tract without causing any problems. Sometimes, Candida can multiply and cause an infection if the environment inside the mouth, throat, or esophagus changes in a way that encourages its growth.
Healthcare providers can usually diagnose candidiasis in the mouth or throat simply by looking inside. 8 Sometimes a healthcare provider will take a small sample from the mouth or throat. The sample is sent to a laboratory for testing, usually to be examined under a microscope.
Healthcare providers usually diagnose candidiasis in the esophagus by doing an endoscopy. An endoscopy is a procedure to examine the digestive tract using a tube with a light and a camera. A healthcare provider might prescribe antifungal medicine without doing an endoscopy to see if the patient’s symptoms get better.
Candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus is usually treated with antifungal medicine. 6 The treatment for mild to moderate infections in the mouth or throat is usually an antifungal medicine applied to the inside of the mouth for 7 to 14 days. These medications include clotrimazole, miconazole, or nystatin. For severe infections, the most common treatment is fluconazole (an antifungal medication) taken by mouth or through a vein. If patient does not get better after taking fluconazole, healthcare providers may prescribe a different antifungal. The treatment for candidiasis in the esophagus is usually fluconazole. Other types of prescription antifungal medicines can also be used for people who can’t take fluconazole or who don’t get better after taking fluconazole.
If you are a healthcare provider, click here to see the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of CandidiasisExternal external icon .
The exact number of cases of candidiasis in the mouth, throat, and esophagus in the United States is difficult to determine. This is because there is no national surveillance for these infections. The risk of these infections varies based on the presence of certain underlying medical conditions. For example, candidiasis in the mouth, throat, or esophagus is uncommon in healthy adults. However, they are some of the most common infections in people living with HIV/AIDS. 2 In one study, about one-third of patients with advanced HIV infection had candidiasis in the mouth and throat. 9
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