Treatment of Oral Thrush

If an oral thrush infection has been identified

 

Assess and monitor for pain and mouth discomfort

Administer medication if prescribed by the doctor

Encourage the resident to rinse their mouth with saline solution every two hours

Examine the mucous membrane of the resident for integrity

 

Treatment

Antifungal medication is to be prescribed by the doctor to treat candidiasis (oral thrush) in the mouth, throat, or oesophagus. Antifungal medicines are usually applied for seven to fourteen days to treat mild to moderate infections.

 

Prevention

 

Educate residents and healthcare workers on how to care for their mouths properly

Educate residents about avoiding mouthwashes with high alcohol content, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon mouth swabs

Encourage nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle

Practice good oral hygiene including brushing teeth twice a day, flossing and regular dental check ups  

For those with dentures, these should be removed before going to bed and cleaned daily, making sure they fit correctly

For those on inhaled corticosteroid treatments, rinse the mouth after each dose and clean teeth