What is oral thrush?
Oral thrush happens when a yeast called Candida, which normally lives in the mouth in small amounts, overgrows. It shows up as creamy white patches that look a bit like cottage cheese or milk, but they don’t wipe away easily.
In babies, thrush is common and usually mild. In adults it’s often linked to steroid inhalers, dentures, recent antibiotics, diabetes or dry mouth.
Listed in Ontario’s minor ailments program as: Candidal stomatitis.
Common symptoms
- White patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums or roof of the mouth
- Redness or soreness underneath the patches
- A cottony feeling or loss of taste
- Cracking at the corners of the mouth
- In babies: fussiness while feeding
How a Kennedy pharmacist can help
Your pharmacist will look at the patches and ask about things that can cause thrush, like inhalers, dentures, recent antibiotics or other health conditions.
They may prescribe an antifungal liquid for the mouth and show you how to use it. For babies, we’ll also explain how to clean bottles and soothers. If you’re breastfeeding and your nipples are sore, red or itchy, mention it, because you may both need treatment so it doesn’t pass back and forth.
If you use a steroid inhaler, we’ll go over rinsing your mouth after each dose and using a spacer, which can help stop it coming back.
If we think you’d be better served by a doctor, we’ll tell you, and help you figure out where to go.
Medicines a pharmacist may consider
- Nystatin oral suspensionan antifungal liquid swished in the mouth, safe for babies
Your pharmacist chooses based on your symptoms, age, pregnancy, allergies and other medications, so not every option is right for everyone. Brand names are examples. We often use the generic version, which works the same and usually costs less.
What it costs
The assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. It’s paid for by the province, just like a visit to your doctor.
If you’re prescribed something, the medicine is paid for like any other prescription: through your drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (65+ and other eligible people), OHIP+ (under 25 without a private plan), or out of pocket.
Good to know: Prescription antifungal liquids are covered by many drug plans, and by OHIP+ for kids and youth without a private plan.
No Ontario health card? Text or call us first and we’ll tell you the fee before we start.
When to see a doctor instead
See your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a nurse practitioner if:
- A baby isn’t feeding well or has fewer wet diapers
- It hurts to swallow, or it feels like food is getting stuck
- An adult gets thrush with no clear cause, or it keeps coming back
- You have a weakened immune system
- It isn’t better after a week of treatment
Not sure? Call Health811 (dial 811) any time to speak with a registered nurse, free.