The risk of getting oral thrush can be reduced by following the advice outlined below.
Oral hygiene
Your chances of getting oral thrush are reduced if you keep your mouth clean and healthy. You can do this by:
- rinsing your mouth after meals
- visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups
- eating a healthy balanced diet with no more than the recommended amount of sugar
- keeping your dentures clean
- brushing your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride
- flossing regularly
- using a mouthwash as part of your routine
Denture hygiene
If you wear dentures it is important to clean them regularly to help prevent yeast from growing.
Your dentures should be removed and cleaned every night before you go to bed. They can be cleaned by brushing them with warm, soapy water and scrubbed with a nailbrush on the non-polished side of the dentures.
Dentures can then be soaked in any liquid that can be used to sterilize babies' bottles. However, products containing bleach should not be used on dentures that contain metal.
You should visit your dentist to correct dentures that do not fit properly. This can also reduce the risk of oral thrush and soreness underneath the dentures.
Speak to your dentist for further advice about how to clean your dentures.
Smoking
Smoking encourages the yeast in your mouth to grow and increases your chance of getting oral thrush.
Speak to your GP if you want to give up smoking. Several treatments are available to increase your chance of quitting successfully, and your GP can put you in touch with local support groups and one-to-one counsellors.
The NHS Smoking Helpline also offers advice and encouragement to help you give up smoking. You can phone the helpline (0800 022 4 332) or visit the NHS Go Smokefree website.
The Health A-Z topic about Quitting smoking also has information and advice about giving up smoking.
Corticosteroids
If you use inhaled corticosteroids as part of your asthma treatment, you can help prevent oral thrush by:
- rinsing your mouth with water after using your inhaler
- developing a good technique when you inhale corticosteroids by using a spacer
A spacer is a small device that looks like a plastic tube. It is attached to your inhaler and can help to get the corticosteroid medicine right into your lungs, minimising the amount of contact that it has with your mouth.
