Oral Thrush Home Remedies

Oral thrush or 'candidiasis' is an infection of yeast fungi belonging to the genus Candida, on the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is often caused by Candida albicans, but sometimes it can be caused by Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis. Oral thrush is the term which is generally used to describe candidiasis in the mouths of babies. If it occurs in the mouth or throat of adults, it is usually referred to as candidiasis or moniliasis. Signs and symptoms of oral thrush may develop suddenly. Moreover, they may persist for a long time.

Oral Thrush

Symptoms

• Pain in the mouth
• Creamy-white lesions on the tongue, inner cheeks
• Sometimes lesions on the roof of the mouth, gums and tonsils
• Lesions look like cottage cheese
• Loss of taste
• A cottony feeling in the mouth cavity
• Lesions spread into esophagus, creating difficulty in swallowing
• Infants may have trouble feeding

People often ask me the question, 'is oral thrush contagious' and when I say, 'YES', they seem to be shocked. So I need to mention here that oral thrush is contagious, especially in breast feeding mothers. Let me explain how. Infants having thrush may pass the infection to their mothers during breastfeeding. The infection thus then passes back and forth between mother's breasts and baby's mouth. If breasts are infected with candida, following symptoms may be noticed:

• Shiny or flaky skin on the areola
• Stabbing pain deep within the breast
• Remarkably red, sensitive or itchy nipples
• Pain in nipples while feeding

Causes

• Consumption of sugar rich diet is the main cause of oral thrush as candida requires sugar and moisture for survival. Diabetic patients have high blood glucose levels and so are more susceptible to thrush and other fungal infections than others.
• Too much of antibiotics kills useful bacteria, disturbing the balance. Lack of defending bacteria and other microbes results in easily caught infection of candida fungus in the mouth and also in other body parts.
• A weak immune system can result in oral thrush. So, people suffering from HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, vaginal yeast infections, etc. are most likely to be attacked by candida.
• Wearing ill-fitted dentures leads to constant irritation and inflammation of gums and mouth parts, leading to candidiasis.

Home Remedies for Oral Thrush

For Adults
Besides proper medication, regular consumption of yogurt is one of the best oral thrush home remedies. Yogurt contains acidophilus, a bacterium, which helps in destroying excess fungus. Thus yogurt can naturally treat and prevent candida infection.

You may opt for candida cleanse diet to get rid of candida infection. Avoiding sugar and fermented food products can help cure candida infection. Garlic exhibits anti fungal properties. Onions also help cure oral thrush. You may use combination of onion and garlic in your food.

Add a few drops of tea tree oil to some water and hold the water in your mouth for a minute and spit it. Do not drink the mixture. You can also use a mixture of tepid water, apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt, to rinse your mouth till the oral thrush heals. You may simply rinse your mouth with tepid water containing half tea spoon of salt.

Oral thrush treatment also includes 'following a healthy, balanced and high fiber diet', to maintain correct blood sugar levels. Wearing perfectly fitting dentures is necessary. Keeping your mouth, tongue, teeth and gums clean is equally important. Maintaining oral hygiene helps prevent thrush. Smoking and dry mouth can lead to oral thrush. So drinking plenty of water and following a healthy lifestyle is necessary to avoid the problem of thrush.

Anti fungal home mouthwashes can be prepared. For example, take equal parts of a tincture consisting of licorice, myrrh, and echinacea and use one teaspoon of this mixture with water as a mouthwash, every three to four hours.

For Babies
Grapefruit seed extract exhibits antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic properties. It can be used to treat oral thrush in babies. Add ten drops of grapefruit seed extract to one ounce of water. Dip a clean cotton ball into the solution and apply the solution onto the mother's nipples. You can also use the same solution to gently wipe the inside of the baby's mouth. You are supposed to swab the baby's mouth before nursing and dab the solution onto the nipples after breastfeeding.

Drops, yeast gel, tablets or lozenges that contain nystatin or miconazole are generally prescribed by doctors to get rid of thrush. Oral thrush home remedies can prevent the recurrence of the symptoms.