Natural Cures and Remedies for Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates in the mouth. Ultimately thrush can spread to the gums, the back of the throat, the tonsils and even down the esophagus. Oral thrush occurs most often in babies and toddlers, or in older people with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

• Oral thrush symptoms can develop suddenly but they persist for a long time if not treated.
• Oral thrush looks like creamy or white lesions (or like cottage cheese) on the tongue and inner cheeks and sometimes spreads to other parts of the mouth and back of the throat.
• The lesions are painful and may bleed a little bit if rubbed or scraped.
• If the thrush spreads into the esophagus it can make swallowing more difficult and may feel as if there is food stuck in your mouth.
• Oral thrush can make eating very painful and difficult.
  
  

Causes of Oral Thrush

• The main cause of thrush is a poor functioning immune system.
• Thrush can occur as a side effect of taking antibiotics. This is especially true in infants.
• Corticosteroids and birth control pills may upset the balance of microorganisms in the mouth and may cause thrush.
• Poorly fitted dentures or dental appliances.
• Diabetes mellitus can cause oral thrush as it can cause high levels of sugar in the saliva which encourages the growth of candida.
• HIV/AIDS can cause oral thrush as it damages and destroys the immune system.
• Cancer patients can have oral thrush as the disease and the treatments weaken the immune system.
  
  

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Practice good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once.
Completely remove sugar from your diet. Candida albicans, the cause of oral thrush, thrives on sugars. Eating sugar will cause it to proliferate more rapidly and make it harder to control.
Salt Water -- Rinse your mouth with salt water. Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water and rinse it around in your mouth. Do not swallow but spit it out when finished.
Yogurt -- Eat yogurt containing lactobacillus acidophilus and/or bifidobacterium. This is especially helpful after taking antibiotics in preventing oral thrush. Be sure to use a high quality yogurt.
Coconut Oil -- Caprylic acid, a well known candida remedy, is a substance found in coconut oil. Using coconut oil for oral thrush is easy and effective. Take 1/2 tablespoon to one whole tablespoon of organic extra virgin coconut oil and let it melt in your mouth. Then swish the oil around in your mouth for at least five minutes and up to 20 minutes. Don't swallow any of it but spit it out when you are finished. Also rinse your mouth out with water thoroughly when finished.
Tea Tree Oil -- Mix four drops of tea tree oil into a half a glass of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth for at least a minute, longer if you can. Make sure you reach every part of your mouth. Do not swallow but spit out solution when finished.

Find out more about natural cures and remedies here.