15 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that is quite common in both adults and infants. It usually affects the mouth and mostly occurs as a result of disturbed pH balance in the body. It could also be a side effect of an existing medical condition. You will be more familiar with oral thrush, its causes and symptoms, and its natural treatment options by the end of this article.
Table Of Contents
What Is Oral Thrush?
What Causes Oral Thrush?
Signs And Symptoms Of Oral Thrush
How To Treat Oral Thrush Naturally
Preventive Tips For Oral Thrush
What Is Oral Thrush?
Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. Candida is a yeast fungus and is always present in small amounts in the mouths of most individuals. However, given the right growth conditions, this fungus can multiply rapidly and cause infection. This infection is often characterized by the formation of a white layer that covers the entire mouth and throat (1).
What Causes Oral Thrush?
Some of the most common causes of oral thrush in adults and infants include:
Causes In Adults
- Cancer treatments: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy have the potential to damage the mucous membranes of your mouth, which can lead to oral thrush.
- Dentures: Wearing dentures can lead to oral thrush. This is one of the main reasons why this condition is often seen in older people who use dentures.
- Diseases: Those affected by diseases like AIDS and diabetes can develop oral thrush.
- Smoking: Smoking can lead to oral thrush.
- Medications: Use of medications like antibiotics and corticosteroids can also result in oral thrush.
Causes In Infants
- Contracted from mothers: Most infants contract oral thrush at birth from their mothers. This is usually the case if the mothers have a history of vaginal yeast infection caused by the same fungus that causes oral thrush.
- Weak immunity: Babies have weak immunity, and hence, they can be easily affected by the fungus and develop oral thrush.
- Antibiotics: Chances of developing oral thrush is higher in babies under antibiotics.
Irrespective of the cause, the symptoms associated with oral thrush are often common in their occurrence. Following are the signs and symptoms of oral thrush.
Signs And Symptoms Of Oral Thrush
Initially, the symptoms associated with this infection are hardly noticeable. But they tend to develop over time and are often mild to moderate in nature (2). The most common signs and symptoms associated with oral thrush are:
- Formation of a white bumpy layer over the entire mouth and tonsils (3)
- Signs of bleeding on scraping the white layer
- The bumps under the white layer may show signs of pain
- Dry and chapped corners of the mouth
- Difficulty in swallowing or speaking
- Infants may experience difficulty in feeding when affected by this condition
Although these symptoms are usually harmless, they could aggravate the condition if left untreated and may even interrupt your daily life. Thus, it is always advised to get rid of the thrush as soon as you notice its appearance. The home remedies given here can help you in combating the fungal infection and its symptoms.
How To Treat Oral Thrush Naturally
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Oil Pulling Using Coconut Oil
- Yogurt
- Baking Soda
- Essential Oils
- Garlic
- Salt Water Rinse
- Cranberry Juice
- Lemon Juice
- Vitamins
- Grape Seed Extract
- Pineapple Juice
- Orange Juice
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Best Mouthwash
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Oral Thrush
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 glass of water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Warm the glass of water.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to it and sip throughout the day.
- You can also add honey for flavor.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once or twice a day.
How This Works
Apple cider vinegar is known to have antifungal properties. Drinking it daily will help in combating the fungal infection caused by oral thrush (4).
2. Oil Pulling Using Coconut Oil
Shutterstock
You Will Need
1 tablespoon coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Swish coconut oil in your mouth every morning on an empty stomach.
- Continue doing it for 10 to 15 minutes and then spit it out.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once every morning.
How This Works
Oil pulling with coconut oil can help in treating oral thrush. This is because the antifungal properties of coconut oil can help in the elimination of the yeast fungus from the mouth. And its antioxidant properties help expel any toxins present in your body (5).
3. Yogurt
Shutterstock
You Will Need
1 teaspoon yogurt
What You Have To Do
- Place a teaspoon of yogurt in your mouth.
- Leave it inside for 5 minutes and then swallow.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this at least 3 times a day.
How This Works
Yogurt boosts the production of probiotics in your body. This encourages the production of healthy bacteria in the mouth and helps in the treatment of oral thrush (6).
4. Baking Soda
Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add the baking soda to water. Mix well.
- Rinse your mouth with this solution.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this at least 2 to 3 times a day until you see positive results.
How This Works
Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. It kills the yeast fungus that causes oral thrush (7).
5. Essential Oils
Shutterstock
a. Tea Tree Oil
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons tea tree oil
- 2 teaspoons water
What You Have To Do
- Mix equal proportions of tea tree oil and water.
- Swish this solution inside your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds and spit it out.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this multiple times a day for optimum results.
How This Works
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties. It combats the fungus that causes oral thrush and prevents its recurrence (8), (9).
b. Oregano Oil
You Will Need
- 3 to 6 drops of oregano oil
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
Mix a few drops of oregano oil in a glass of water and drink this solution.
How Often You Should Do This
You must follow this remedy twice daily for best results.
How This Works
Oregano oil is used to treat a variety of ailments. It is known for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties, which can help treat oral thrush (10), (11).
c. Peppermint Oil
You Will Need
- 2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Mix 2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water.
- Use this as a mouthwash.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 to 3 times a day.
How This Works
Peppermint oil is a natural remedy for many ailments, thanks to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Hence, it can be used to treat the candida fungus that causes oral thrush (12), (13).
6. Garlic
Shutterstock
You Will Need
1 clove of raw garlic
What You Have To Do
Take a clove of raw garlic and chew on it.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1 to 2 times a day.
How This Works
Garlic contains a compound called allicin. Allicin is known for its powerful antifungal, antiviral, and antibiotic properties that can help treat oral thrush and its symptoms (14), (15), (16).
7. Salt Water Rinse
Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the salt in warm water.
- Use this solution to rinse your mouth.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this thrice daily.
How This Works
The antifungal and antibacterial nature of salt disturbs the environment in your mouth. This helps in getting rid of the fungus that causes oral thrush (17).
8. Cranberry Juice
Shutterstock
You Will Need
1 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice
What You Have To Do
Drink a cup of unsweetened cranberry juice daily.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink this juice once or twice daily.
How This Works
Cranberry juice is rich in nutrients and is acidic. It creates an acidic environment in your mouth and makes the survival of fungi almost impossible. Also, the proanthocyanidins in cranberries exhibit anti-adherence properties that inhibit the adherence of C. albicans inside your mouth. Thus, cranberries are a great option for treating oral thrush (18), (19), (20).
9. Lemon Juice
Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 glass of water
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water.
- Add honey for flavor and consume immediately.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this once daily.
How This Works
Lemon is replete with antifungal properties. It is also acidic and can thus help in eliminating the fungus that causes oral thrush (21), (22).
10. Vitamin C
Shutterstock
You Will Need
1000 mg vitamin C capsules
What You Have To Do
Consume the vitamin C capsule.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice daily until you see positive results.
How This Works
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant and is also acidic. It boosts the production of stomach acids and enhances your immunity. This inhibits the growth of C. albicans inside your mouth (23), (24).
Tips
Oral thrush can also be a result of a deficiency in vitamins B3 and D or iron. In such cases, the respective vitamins and minerals must be taken to address oral thrush.
11. Grape Seed Extract
Shutterstock
You Will Need
250 mg grape seed extract supplement
What You Have To Do
Consume grape seed extract supplement.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this thrice daily until you observe positive results.
How This Works
Grape seed extract can treat a variety of ailments. However, it is more effective against Candida due to its antifungal properties. It will also boost your immune system and prevent chances of reinfection by the fungus. Thus, grape seed extract can help you recover faster from oral thrush (25), (26).
12. Pineapple Juice
Shutterstock
You Will Need
1/4 pineapple
What You Have To Do
- Cut the pineapple into small pieces.
- Chew on these pieces every once in a while.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this 2 to 3 times a day.
How This Works
The bromelain in the pineapple helps in breaking down any debris that is formed in your mouth. It can also aid the breakdown of the fungus on your tongue. The acidic nature of pineapples will also make the survival of fungus difficult (27), (28).
13. Orange Juice
Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 orange
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Peel one orange and blend it with a glass of water in a mixer.
- Sip on this juice.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
How This Works
Oranges are citrus fruits like lemons. They are rich in vitamin C, also referred to as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is acidic and helps to keep the Candida fungus in check (29), (30).
14. Aloe Vera Juice
Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Aloe vera gel OR
- 1/4 glass of aloe vera juice
What You Have To Do
- Take some gel from the aloe vera plant and apply it to the tongue and inner cheeks.
- Alternatively, you can also drink aloe vera juice.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
How This Works
Aloe vera offers many health and beauty benefits. Its antifungal properties can help treat oral thrush and prevent its recurrence (31), (32), (33), (34).
15. Mouthwash
Shutterstock
You Will Need
An antifungal mouthwash containing fluconazole or nystatin
What You Have To Do
Rinse your mouth with any antifungal mouthwash after every meal.
How Often You Should Do This
Follow this regimen at least thrice daily.
How This Works
The mouthwashes that treat oral thrush generally contain antifungal chemicals. Hence, they show quick and effective action against the fungal infection (35), (36).
In addition to these remedies, you can also follow a few tips to prevent oral thrush, increase the efficacy of your treatment, and accelerate your recovery.
Preventive Tips For Oral Thrush
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss regularly.
- In case you are using a corticosteroid inhaler, rinse your mouth after every use.
- If you are on antibiotics, try and include yogurt in your diet.
- If you are affected by vaginal yeast infection, treat it immediately.
- Disinfect your dentures, especially after an infection.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Avoid intake of sugar and sweets. Also, stay away from pork meat, fish like tuna and swordfish, some dairy products, processed vegetable oils, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks.
- Follow a diet rich in vegetables, proteins, and fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi.
Oral thrush is often mild and not a cause for much concern. The symptoms are also usually moderate and can be treated quite easily. Although the remedies mentioned here can help in the treatment of oral thrush to a large extent, it is better to see your doctor if the condition persists. You must also always follow a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene to prevent the recurrence of this infection in the future.
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
What is the best treatment for oral thrush?
The best treatment to cure oral thrush is antifungal therapy. The use of antifungal agents can help you recover quickly.
What are the long-term effects of oral thrush?
In some cases, oral thrush may last for a long time and may even spread to other body parts if left untreated. This condition can usually be cured completely.
How long does oral thrush usually last?
In both babies and adults, oral thrush usually lasts for 2 to 3 weeks if it is treated on time. However, in rare cases, the thrush might continue existing despite treatment. In such instances, it is recommended to consult your general physician immediately.
The post 15 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Oral Thrush appeared first on STYLECRAZE.
from STYLECRAZE http://ift.tt/2h9TENO http://ift.tt/2zDO25e
No comments: