Thrush can be easy to get.  Because the yeast that causes thrush lives throughout our bodies, it waits for a time when we are at our weakest to take over.  When our defenses are down our bodies cannot fight effectively and an infection in the mouth can develop and this is known as thrush.

Treatment for oral thrush is usually effective quickly.  Within a few days to a week you should be feeling like your old self again. Eating more yogurt and taking acidophilus supplements daily is a good first step to helping your body boost its own natural defenses against candida.

In most cases your doctor will only need to see the lesions to diagnose thrush.  He or she could then prescribe an anti fungal medication (a medicine to kill the fungus).  This may be a pill, a lozenge or a liquid that you swish inside your mouth and then swallow.  Your doctor may also suggest eating extra yogurt or taking a supplement like acidophilus.  These will not kill the fungus but they will help your body boost its own natural defenses against the candida.

A warm salt-water rinse may also help to reduce some of the soreness and irritation caused by the patches but should be spit out after rinsing.

Your diet may also contribute to an infection.  So be aware of what you eat—it is suspected that candida can grow more easily in people who consume larger amounts of sugar and yeast based foods.  So take steps to avoid high-risk foods and drinks.  Dietary changes may take several weeks to even months to take effect.

Make sure to see your dentist or physician if you find that you are beginning to show any symptoms of a new infection.  You may also be able to head off a new infection by using natural oral cleaning products that contain peppermint and spearmint oils.  These oils hold natural antibacterial properties that may reduce your chances of developing thrush again.