How To Prevent And Treat Oral Infections
How To Prevent And Treat Oral Infections – From baking soda to lemon juice, you probably have a number of home remedies in your fridge that can help with this yeast infection
What is that white stuff on your tongue? And why does your mouth feel “funny” – maybe a bit like sandpaper? Well, my friend, you may have a case of thrush.
How To Prevent And Treat Oral Infections
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Thrush is a fungal infection that can grow in your mouth, throat and other parts of your body. It is caused by an overgrowth of a type of fungus called Candida (also known as yeast). Thrush of the mouth and throat is called oropharyngeal candidiasis.
“We usually see thrush in children, whose immune systems are developing, or older adults, whose immune systems are starting to decline,” says family medicine specialist Ryan Fisher, MD. “People with medical conditions that weaken their immune system or take medications that suppress it are also more susceptible.”
Dr Fisher gives the example of people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who use a corticosteroid inhaler. “They are at risk if they don’t rinse their mouth after using their inhaler,” he explained.
You may also be exposed to oral thrush if you use dentures that do not fit properly or are not kept clean.
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Although thrush usually goes away on its own, there are home remedies you can use to speed recovery or relieve pain. Dr Fisher talks about which ones to try – and what to do if they don’t work.
Dr Fisher recommends first using good oral hygiene – which means thorough brushing, flossing and tongue scraping – for three to four weeks to see if the oral thrush resolves on its own. If that doesn’t do the trick, here are a few home remedies that can help.
With its antiseptic properties, salt can help soothe and clean your mouth. In fact, it is a common home remedy for a burnt tongue!
Try dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swish the salt water around your mouth for a minute or two, then spit the mixture out.
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Baking soda is a common ingredient in toothpaste for a reason. Yes, it has whitening properties, but it also has antibacterial properties, making it a popular ingredient for removing plaque and fighting gum problems like gingivitis.
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in a cup of warm water. Swish the solution around your mouth and then spit it out.
If you have oral thrush, the yeast in your mouth is out of balance. Eating yogurt can help restore that balance.
But you don’t want to just eat yogurt. Look for unsweetened varieties that have probiotics or live and active cultures. Yoghurt will not kill the thrush bacteria, but research suggests it will inhibit its growth. Bonus: Eating yogurt helps improve your gut and immune system!
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Preliminary research suggests that lemon juice may help with thrush due to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. But don’t apply lemon juice directly to wounds. It can cause burning and irritation.
If you want to try lemon juice, mix the juice of half a lemon in a cup of water. You can drink the mixture (it’s delicious!) or use it as a mouthwash.
A 2020 systematic review article determined that curcumin, the compound found in turmeric, can help treat oral thrush thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. The review also suggests that curcumin may enhance the effects of the antifungal drug fluconazole in eradicating thrush. As with most of the home remedies we talk about here, more research is needed to confirm that turmeric has the same effect on people as it does in a test tube.
You can make a drink with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric paste, a cup of water or milk and a pinch of black pepper. Heat on the stove until warm. As you drink the mixture, swish it around your mouth.
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Thanks to the antifungal properties found in apple cider vinegar, a 2014 study suggests that it can help treat oral thrush caused by teething even better than the antifungal drug nystatin.
But avoid using apple cider vinegar alone, as it can cause a burn in your mouth. Instead, combine 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water. Swish around in your mouth for a minute, then spit it out.
If you like the taste of apple cider vinegar and don’t mind a little fizz, you’re in luck! Sparkling apple cider vinegar drinks have become popular and are often found in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store. Drinking these drinks is not the same as doing a good rinse. Instead, think of your refreshment break as a delicious addition.
Oil of oregano, commonly used in cooking, can help treat thrush. A study from 2001, which is still cited today, found that its antimicrobial and antifungal properties are very effective against
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. Those findings have been reproduced several times in the decade since – including in 2023
. But don’t get too excited: while the studies are promising, these experiments were mostly conducted on yeast in a test tube, not on real people’s tongues.
, orally or topically. After all, if it is an antibiotic as effective as some studies suggest, using too much too often could kill the beneficial bacteria that you should stay the.
Dr Fisher suggests using a mixture made by adding a few drops of oregano oil to a tablespoon of water. Swish the mixture around in your mouth and
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Before taking oregano oil as a supplement, Dr. Fisher says it’s important to know that ingesting it can negatively affect your body’s ability to absorb copper, iron and zinc. It can also lower blood sugar levels. “If you are planning to have surgery, it is best to take oregano oil at least two weeks before the procedure, as it can increase the risk of bleeding,” he said.
Always talk to a doctor before starting a supplement, especially if you are currently taking medication or have a medical condition.
You may have come across clove oil at your dentist. The oil is used as an antiseptic and pain reliever.
A widely cited 2005 study suggests that clove oil may be as effective in treating oral thrush as an antiviral drug called nystatin, but more research is needed to confirm those findings.
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You can use a clove oil rinse if you want to use clove oil for thrush. To rinse clove oil, steep ground cloves in warm water for five minutes, then strain. Swish the mixture around your mouth and then spit it out.
Because of the risk of harmful side effects such as seizures, liver damage and fluid imbalance. Dr Fisher says it can also affect blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting. So, if you have a bleeding disorder or planned surgery, avoid using clove oil.
“For example, if antibiotic or steroid treatments caused your infection, waiting a few weeks can give the body time to return to a natural yeast balance,” said Dr. Fisherman.
If you’ve used home remedies to treat yourself, but the white stuff is still there, it’s time to call your primary care provider or—if you have one—your ENT. They will want to look at your mouth to rule out other causes, including:
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Your carer will order an antifungal rinse if it is oral thrush. You will be swish, swishing, swishing for 10 to 14 days, which will help your body regain its natural yeast balance.
Doesn’t get better, or if you have repeated attacks of strep throat, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist (otolaryngologist) to discuss the diagnosis and treatment.
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Oral thrush is mainly caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast that is normally present in the mouth in small amounts and is kept in balance by beneficial bacteria in the body. Less often it can also be caused by an overgrowth/infection of Candida glabrata or Candida tropicalis yeasts, which are also present in the mouth.
Dry mouth, high blood and saliva sugar levels (diabetes), and long-term use of certain antibiotics or corticosteroid therapy (asthma inhalers) can disrupt the body’s natural balance of friendly bacteria that would otherwise fight a yeast infection. This causes an overgrowth of Candida and leads to thrush.
There are a number of symptoms associated with the