Oral thrush (mouth thrush)
Overview
Oral thrush is usually harmless. It's common in babies and also older people with dentures. It can be treated with antifungal medicine.
Treatment
A GP can prescribe antifungal medicine to treat oral thrush, callednystatin. It comes as a liquid, which you should hold in your mouth for as long as possible before swallowing it.
Prevention
Oral thrush is an infection caused by a fungus called Candida. Some things can make the fungus grow more than usual. You might get thrush if you're: taking antibiotics over a long timeusing asthma inhalershaving cancer treatment like chemotherapy There are some things you can do to help prevent oral thrush. take care of your teeth: brush twice a day, clean your dentures, and go for regular check-ups even if you have dentures take care of your teeth: brush twice a day, clean your dentures, and go for regular check-ups even if you have dentures brush your gums and tongue with a soft toothbrush if you do not have any teeth brush your gums and tongue with a soft toothbrush if you do not have any teeth rinse your mouth after eating or taking medicine rinse your mouth after eating or taking medicine go to regular check-ups if you have a long-term condition like diabetes go to regular check-ups if you have a long-term condition like diabetes sterilise dummies regularly sterilise dummies regularly sterilise bottles after each use sterilise bottles after each use do not wear dentures at night do not wear dentures at night do not keep wearing dentures if they do not fit properly – see your dentist do not keep wearing dentures if they do not fit properly – see your dentist do not smoke do not smoke