Health Science I – Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Conditions Practice Test

Antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth, allowing the fungus Candida albicans to overgrow. This overgrowth produces white, creamy patches on the tongue and other mucosal surfaces, which is known as thrush (oral candidiasis). The patches may be scraped away to reveal a red, irritated surface and can be associated with a cottony or metallic taste.

Canker sores are small painful ulcers on the mucous membranes and don’t present as white patches on the tongue. Oral herpes causes vesicles and ulcers typically around the lips or mouth that follow a different pattern and aren’t specifically linked to antibiotic use. Geographic tongue shows map-like, irregular areas of depapillation and is unrelated to antibiotics or fungal overgrowth.