Oral thrush (mouth thrush)

Adults When you have oral thrush, your mouth is red inside with white patches. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/459245/view When you wipe off the white patches, they leave red spots that can bleed. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/633814/view Other symptoms in adults are: cracks at the corners of the mouth not tasting things properly an unpleasant taste in the mouth pain inside the mouth (for example, a sore tongue or sore gums) difficulty eating and drinking Oral thrush in adults is not contagious. Babies A baby with oral thrush will have a white coating on their tongue. It may look like cottage cheese and it cannot be rubbed off easily. Credit: DR M.A. ANSARY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/251590/view Sometimes there are white spots in their mouth. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/252476/view Babies with oral thrush may not want to feed.

Look at other causes of a white or sore tongue .

Oral thrush can be treated with a mouth gel bought from a pharmacy. The gel is suitable for adults, children and babies over the age of 4 months. Ask your pharmacist for advice. Always follow the instructions on the medicine packet. Find a pharmacy

Oral thrush is not usually serious but sometimes you may need to get help from a GP. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: your baby is under 4 months and has signs of oral thrush you have oral thrush and do not see any improvement after 1 week of treatment with a mouth gel you have difficulty or pain when swallowing

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 time using asthma inhalers having cancer treatment like chemotherapy There are some things you can do to help prevent oral thrush. Do 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 rinse your mouth after eating or taking medicine go to regular check-ups if you have a long-term condition like diabetes sterilise dummies regularly sterilise bottles after each use Don’t do not wear dentures at night do not keep wearing dentures if they do not fit properly – see your dentist do not smoke