Information for Denture Wearers, Diabetics, people using inhalers, Do You Suffer with Oral Stomatitis? What is it? It is a type of infection caused by yeast/ fungus called Candida or oral thrush, often found in the mouth. It is not a type of infection that is transferred from one person to another and everyone has some thrush in their mouths, even babies. Normally this bacteria is kept in check by the good bacteria in our mouths. It is also possible to get thrush in other areas of the body. Denture wearers, Diabetics and anyone who takes steroids either through inhalers or by mouth may also have problems. Some antibiotics are responsible for causing thrush and many people find that taking certain antibiotics encourages a recurrence of infection, especially if taken over a long period of time. This is because antibiotics can upset the balance between the good bacteria and the bad bacteria. If you wear dentures and have soreness in the mouth this may be due to stomatitis, your Dental Care Professional will be able to look at this for you. If stomatitis is confirmed it will need to be treated. Avoid smoking and rinse your mouth after meals or using an inhaler. If you are a denture wearer you may be advised to leave your denture out at night for up to two weeks. Even if you have no natural teeth left in your mouth, it is important that you have the tissues of the mouth checked once a year by your Denturist, Clinical Dental Technician or another Dental Care Professional.