Oral Thrush – Symptoms, Causes and Remedies

Adult and Baby Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a yeast infection most often caused by Candida albicans. It is also known as oral candidiasis and is especially common among infants and small children. Although children suffer with this condition, known as baby thrush, adults are also vulnerable to this type of yeast infection.

The thrush develops a white coating on the mucous membranes of the mouth as shown in the picture above. This is what baby oral thrush looks like.

Symptoms

As it sounds, it occurs in the mouth and has a white coating visible on the tongue. The tongue cannot be scraped clean and if you try to remove the coating it can cause the tongue to bleed. The white coating can also appear on the inside of the cheeks.

The infection can pass through the throat and into the intestines and if it progresses to the throat it can become painful to swallow.

The oral thrush can also present raised blisters in the mouth, so it can feel like small ulcers.

Babies will often show signs of irritability as the discomfort is upsetting for them.

Causes

One of the major causes for an adult to develop an oral yeast infection is a weakened immune system. Healthy individuals rarely have a problem, but if the body is in a weakened state, many infections can invade the body.

Other causes are:

• Antibiotics and Steroids – As with any yeast infection, antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as the one that is being treated. If the good bacteria isn’t alive to fight an excess of yeast, a problem can begin.

• Dentures and Mouthwash– It’s important to make sure dentures are clean and fit well, so the fungus cannot take control. Antibacterial mouthwashes are also known to kill off the good bacteria as well as the bad bacteria in the mouth. Create an imbalance and you could end up with oral thrush.

• Smoking – Yes, smoking can cause oral thrush, especially if you are stressed and your immune system is compromised.

• Diabetes – Diabetic patients are also at risk of developing oral thrush, so make sure if you feel you have a problem you tell your doctor.

Remedies

There are many remedies for treating oral thrush, but one of the best ways is to improve your immune system and follow a ‘yeast infection diet plan‘. If you have a recurring problem with any type of yeast infection, a homeopathic remedy for a candida overgrowth may prove to be beneficial.

Other home remedies include:

• Apple cider vinegar – Rinse mouth with unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.
• Yogurt and probiotics – Include these in your diet plan.
• Gargle mouth with salty water – Rinse your mouth a few times a day.
• Cinnamon tea – Drink cinnamon tea or sprinkle cinnamon on your yogurt! Delicious.
• Garlic – Eat a clove of garlic and add it to your food. Garlic is a wonderful, natural antibiotic.
• Dental hygiene – Keep your mouth clean. Clean dentures and replace your toothbrush.
• Babies – Sterilize bottles and pacifiers. If breastfed, keep nipples clean.

You may be interested in my article on how to prevent yeast infections if you have further problems.