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
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.
Oral thrush is not usually serious but sometimes you may need to get help from a GP.
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
03 August 2026
