Oral Thrush

When to book oral thrush treatment

Walk in and speak to a pharmacist if you have:

• White or cream-coloured patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth or gums
• Redness, soreness or a burning sensation in the mouth
• A cottony or dry feeling in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing or an unpleasant taste
• Loss of taste or altered taste
• Cracking or redness at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)
• Pain when eating or drinking, particularly spicy or acidic foods

See your GP if symptoms have not improved after seven to fourteen days of treatment, you have a weakened immune system or underlying condition, you have difficulty swallowing or the infection seems to be spreading, thrush keeps coming back, or you are unsure what is causing your symptoms.

What is oral thrush?

Oral thrush, or oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans, which normally lives harmlessly in small amounts in the mouth. It causes white patches or plaques that can be painful and may bleed when scraped. It is not usually serious and responds well to antifungal treatment, but left untreated it can spread, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.

What causes oral thrush?

• Antibiotics - kill the beneficial bacteria that keep Candida in check
• Inhaled corticosteroids - a risk for asthma and COPD inhaler users who do not rinse afterwards
• Weakened immunity - HIV, cancer treatment or immunosuppressive medication
• Diabetes - poorly controlled blood sugar lets Candida thrive
• Dry mouth - from medication or medical conditions
• Dentures - ill-fitting or poorly cleaned dentures encourage fungal growth
• Smoking
• Age - more common in babies, young children and older adults

Treatment options

• Miconazole oral gel - applied directly to affected areas several times a day, usually for seven days
• Nystatin liquid - held in the mouth before swallowing, typically four times daily
• Fluconazole tablets - prescribed for more persistent or severe cases

Over-the-counter antifungals are often enough for mild cases. In babies, thrush shows as white patches that do not rub off easily, with fussiness during feeding and sometimes nappy rash from the same organism. Miconazole gel is commonly used from four months, with nystatin drops for younger infants, and sterilising dummies, teats and toys helps prevent reinfection.

Preventing oral thrush

Brush twice daily and floss, rinse your mouth after using a steroid inhaler, clean dentures every day and remove them at night, see your dentist regularly, keep blood sugar well controlled if you have diabetes, limit sugary food and drink, stay hydrated, and consider quitting smoking. Denture wearers are at particular risk of denture stomatitis, so ensure dentures fit properly and are cleaned with a denture brush and appropriate solution.

Find oral thrush treatment near you

Walk in with no appointment for same-day assessment, antifungal treatment with clear instructions, private consultations and advice on preventing recurrence. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.