Thrush can be cured easily.  Thrush is a fungal infection caused by candida.  Candida can infect various parts of the body including the mouth.  White clumpy patches that look like cottage cheese will often form on the inside of the cheeks and tongue.  These patches may be painful and can bleed when scraped.  Thrush can be spread between mothers and babies and passed back and forth if both are not treated properly.  Thrush can effect your ability to eat, drink and swallow.

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.

Treatment for oral thrush is usually effective quickly.  Within a few days to a week you should be feeling like your old self again.  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.