Can a yeast infection cause oral hairy leukoplakia?

May appear like it: Yeast infections or candidiasis, also referred to as thrush can certainly appear like hairy leukoplakia. Your dentist or health care provider can perform or order a fungal stain to determine if you have candidiasis.

Not likely: It may resemble thrush, but the patches are usually softer than leukoplakia patches. If a patch looks suspicious, your dentist will do a biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Hairy leukoplakia can appear in people whose immune system is not working well.