How is thrush (oral candidiasis) treated?

How oral thrush is treated depends upon the cause of it. Most often it occurs in people with weak immune systems -- the very young, elderly or those debilitated by disease, such as diabetes or leukemia. 

In most cases this will go away on its own within a week, but if it lasts longer see your dentist for treatment. If the cause is dry mouth, saliva substitutes can help in treating and preventing the problem. 

Practicing good oral hygiene habits is the best treatment and prevention of oral thrush.

If it's severe, oral thrush, a yeast infection that causes velvety white patches in the mouth, is treated with prescription anti-fungal drugs. In most cases however, thrush, also called candidiasis, will go away if you eat plain yogurt or take acidophilus capsules (probiotics) to fight the yeast. Rinsing your mouth several times a day with 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted with water is also  an effective oral thrush treatment.