The same strain of fungus that many women are familiar with in vaginal yeast infections , Candida albicans , is also the cause of this common condition in babies and young children. Like any yeast infection, thrush is caused by an overgrowth of fungus due to an imbalance in good versus bad microbes.

Here are some natural and time-tested ways to prevent, treat, and ease the symptoms of thrush. Besides the white layer in the mouth, it is not uncommon for thrush to cause a great deal of discomfort in your child. Look for:. In some cases, yeast infections can least to invasive candidiasis where it reaches other organs including the heart, brain, and eyes, the bones, and even the blood.

Pre-term babies are especially at risk, so treatment must be pursued. There is no clear reason why certain mouths like to host candida but oral thrush is very often a fuzzy white sign of a compromised immune system.

Pediatricians often prescribe nystatin or other anti-fungal pharmaceutical oral treatments, but as with adult forms of candida, these are frequently ineffective and the infection recurs. Toddlers embracing new foods and weaning off milk or formula are likely not meeting all their nutritional needs.

Current conventional agricultural practices mean the soil has become stripped of nutrients so that most foods are not as nutritious as they were 50 years ago. Organic foods are typically more nutrient-dense and safer than conventionally grown foods so be mindful of and judicious about the source of your groceries.

Try to maintain a diet rich in whole unprocessed foods, high in plant-based sources, and diverse in nutrients. Boost this good foundation with the following foods for an extra ounce of prevention or treatment. These helpful foods contribute to a hostile environment for yeast.

Hummus is an easy way to make garlic more palatable—make your own mixed with coconut oil for an immune boost—and roasted garlic is delightfully sweet and easy to prepare.

Try giving your child a few cloves a day mixed into savoury foods or even let them try it straight-up! Lavender tea : This is lovely and soothing blended with ice. Lavender oil is antifungal and adding lemon to the tea can also alkalinize the mouth and fight yeast.

Have fun and blend lavender with other herbal teas like chamomile and mint for added benefits. Seaweed : Mineral-rich ocean vegetables like seaweed are not only superfoods that help the digestive system thrive and flush out toxins, they pack an iodine punch that can support the thyroid and keep the metabolism chugging along well.

Many little people like the crunch of seaweed on a sushi roll made with brown rice and stuffed with veggies. Nuts and seeds : Omega-3 rich, and anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic, munching on almonds, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds is an easy yeast-fighting, immune-boosting snack kids can manage on their own.

Fermented foods : Probiotics that naturally occur in fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, and kimchi, serve the microbiome by working with the good bacteria to overcome the bad.

Try making a plain Greek yogurt smoothie blended with berries and a squeeze of agave or honey, or consider consuming raw dairy products. Acidic foods : A lot of kids like pickles, olives, and vinaigrette dressings, and apple cider vinegar ACV is a known anti-fungal.

Water : Drinking more water in general can swish away yeast by hydrating anti-fungal enzymes and bacteria that naturally occur in saliva. A dry mouth promotes an unfair hierarchy of unwanted microbes.

Raw oat milk : This is also very helpful for both fighting yeast and digestion as it contains prebiotic soluble fiber and antifungal enzymes that encourage a healthier bowel flora. When diet needs a little help, consider supplementing with these nutrients to help give thrush the heave-ho!

Vitamin D deficiency is common in babies and nursing moms but it is critical for the immune system. Be sure to get your blood levels checked and aim for at least 50 on your results.

Vitamin D does not naturally occur in many foods and is primarily synthesized in the body through exposure to sunlight. Exposure can be a tricky balance and depends on conditions such as your geographic location, skin colour, and the time of day.

Try to make sure children get between 10 and 20 minutes per day of sunlight directly on their skin, preferably before 10 AM and after 2 PM and without sunscreen.

Probiotics can help crowd out the yeast right from the mouth all the way on out through the stool. A good probiotic should contain many different strains and be prepared in a high potency, often called a CFU colony-forming unit, a way to measure the count of bacteria.

Taking probiotics with a meal is a must: Mix into foods, formula, or sprinkle on your nipples a few times a day before nursing. Overdosing is highly unlikely, however loose stools can occur and should normalize quickly.

Avoid pastries, soda, candies, sweetened cereals, and other refined, processed foods. Avoiding sweeteners is the best policy, but if you need a little bit, xylitol, a sugar substitute often added to gums, toothpastes, and lozenges is fine to use and may actually help decrease the microbes in the mouth.

Stevia and other sugar alcohol blends like erythritol are also fine in moderation. All can be found at your local health food store in packets or the bulk section.

Ask all caregivers especially grandparents! to be on board with the diet changes or else treating thrush will become even harder. Homeopathic remedies can be very effective for the treatment of thrush. If your little one is susceptible to frequent infections, consult a professional specializing in homeopathy.

There are thousands of potential remedies for treating this condition, and while sometimes one type is enough to clear up the issue, other cases may require a combination for a lasting effect. The following are some of the most common ones for treating thrush. The most frequently successful remedy for thrush especially for breastfed infants.

There are raw sores on the mouth and tongue. Eating is very painful and the thrush easily bleeds upon touching. Swollen gums and a puffy tongue are seen and coating is yellow or dark.

Try this remedy if Mercurius seems indicated but does not help. Tongue and gums are not as affected, breath likely fine. May also have skin problems too.

Indicated if the child cannot be pleased and is very fussy. This is also a common remedy in teething. Often accompanied by loose stool. These kids tend to be heavy in general, crave milk, and perspire from the scalp. They tend to worry a lot and catch colds easily. Discharge may occur in other places besides the mouth.

Useful when the baby has a thick, milky white coating on the tongue. Coating is more white than yellow. Worse with heat. Lack of appetite can be significant. Searching for best anti-fungal soap?

Check out — Abzorb Antifungal Soap. Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties. You could mix two tablespoons in warm water and drink it up or dip a cotton ball in it and dab over your skin.

Doing this thrice a day should produce beneficial results. Know more about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal and antibacterial.

Mix it with any carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil and dab over the infected area about three to four times a day. This is one of the most effective home remedies to treat fungal infections. In its unheated form, even coconut oil works as a potent antifungal agent. Applying it over the skin makes it a good, safe topical medicine.

Since it is easy on the skin, it is also useful to treat scalp ringworm. Use over the skin three times a day. Turmeric is a potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory spice. Mix with a little water and apply over the infected area.

To get benefits in the internal body environment, mix with warm water, or have turmeric tea. This is one of the easiest home remedies for fungal infection as turmeric is present in all Indian kitchens across households.

One of the most time-tested natural remedies to cure any skin infection is aloe vera. It not only treats the infection but also soothes and repairs skin damage. Garlic is one of the most potent antifungal and antimicrobial herbs. Those who eat garlic regularly are less susceptible to fungal infections.

Crush a couple of garlic with some olive oil and make a paste. Apply to the infected area for about thirty minutes. Also, read the benefits of garlic for health.

Another active antifungal agent is oregano oil. Mix a few drops with any carrier oil and dab on the affected area. You could also take oregano oil capsules orally.

Follow these remedies regularly to achieve the desired results. Check for allergies to essential oils before using them. Neem leaves have effective antifungal properties and are extremely good for the skin.

Washing the infected area with neem water helps in treating fungal infections. To make neem water, boil neem leaves in water for 2 to 3 minutes. Vitamin C Ascorbic acid boosts our immune system.

It protects our body from various infections. A good immune system also helps to treat fungal infections faster. Baking soda is useful in fungal infections like athlete Foot. Applying baking soda powder on our feet and the inside of our shoes helps to absorb moisture and sweat.

It thus prevents the infection from spreading. Alternatively you can use Dettol Antiseptic Liquid Bottle. Gingerol present in ginger has potent antifungal properties. Adding ginger to our diet in the form of ginger tea effectively helps to prevent and treat fungal infections like Candida.

Using honey is also one of the easiest home remedies for fungal infection as it contains hydrogen peroxide, very effective to kill fungus and bacteria which are responsible for causing skin infections.

Applying raw honey to the affected region is the best solution as it is loaded with healing properties. Research has relieved that grapefruit seeds extract has the healing power to treat fungal infections.

To do so, mix a drop of the seed extract with a few drops of water and apply to the affected spot s twice a day. Licorice is naturally bestowed with anti-inflammatory or anti-microbial properties and is therefore perfect to take care of fungal infections.

To use it, add powdered licorice to a cup of water and bring it to a boil. After a few minutes, let it simmer. Once it has assumed a paste-like consistency, let it cool and apply the mixture to the affected skin twice a day.

Lemongrass is also laden with anti-microbial properties so you can easily use it to treat your fungal injection as one of the home remedies.

You need to mix lemongrass oil with a carrier oil and dab it on the affected region with a cotton ball or swab two times a day! Looking for best lemongrass oil? Check out — Khadi Natural Lemongrass Essential Oil.

Want to get rid of fungal infection?

In complex cases, systemic treatments are offered through antifungal tablets and injections. Remember: The best way to avoid getting re-infected is to change the conditions that caused the overgrowth of Candida in the first place. Most of the time, overcoming oral problems is about maintaining good hygiene.

Learning proper brushing and flossing techniques while maintaining a healthy diet can limit your risk of Candida overgrowth. These solutions are effective at minimizing some of the most uncomfortable symptoms of Candida:.

Various essential oils are as effective as antifungals. Keep in mind that essential oils should only be used in the mouth for a short period of time, as they may kill good bacteria along with the bad.

For instance, clove oil is just as effective as nystatin — a drug frequently prescribed to manage oral thrush. A study published in found that oregano oil was a powerful alternative oral thrush treatment.

Myrrh oil can kill a variety of different fungi and parasites, including Candida. Studies have found that when mixed with toothpaste, myrrh controls Candida overgrowth. Apple cider vinegar ACV may help to regulate the presence of Candida while restoring the natural pH level in the mouth.

Since apple cider vinegar has a pretty strong taste, you might need to dilute it with water to sip throughout the day. If you wear dentures, soaking them in ACV overnight may help to kill Candida that would otherwise stick around on your dental appliance.

Try this recipe for banishing bad breath with apple cider vinegar. Since a poor pH balance can often lead to halitosis bad breath , an apple cider rinse may solve two problems at once. This substance promotes the natural restoration of good bacteria in your system and can keep Candida in check.

In other words, it returns balance to your mouth. Coconut oil possesses several great antimicrobial properties. The combination of caprylic and lauric acid found in coconut oil helps to kill off excess Candida. You can use it topically or mix it with food. Studies have found that coconut oil is just as effective as fluconazole a common Candida medication against thrush symptoms.

Caprylic acid, one of the major components of coconut oil, may be powerful against Candida infection on its own. For another perspective on curing candida in the mouth, read this guest post by Amie Valpone, who shares her advice and experience with candida.

If you have oral thrush, you can pass it to someone else via kissing or oral sex. A vaginal or penile yeast infection may be contagious during anal, oral, or vaginal sex and can present as oral thrush, even if it started elsewhere. Mothers may pass vaginal yeast infections to babies as oral thrush during delivery or breastfeeding.

Although Candida infections can be contagious, having any sort of yeast infection does not necessarily mean you contracted it from another person. Candida overgrowth is a common problem for many people. The important thing to remember is that you can fight back and regain good oral health!

The information outlined above will help you to get back on your feet and overcome discomfort fast! You can read my story here. I have been a dentist in private practice for 35 years.

I graduated from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA in and am a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine AADSM , Academy of General Dentistry Chicago, IL , American Academy for Oral Systemic Health AAOSH , and Dental Board of California.

Skip to main content Skip to header right navigation Skip to after header navigation Skip to site footer Dental Hygiene Sleep Nutrition Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics Conditions Procedures. Table of Contents [Hide] [Show] What is oral thrush?

Essential Oils 2. Check out our entire range of skincare products. Dermatophytes which cause fungal infections have become very resistant to common antifungal drugs these days due to the injudicious use of these drugs , I have observed many patients taking antifungal drugs for a longer period without getting benefits, therefore, one should be visiting his physician whenever they are suffering from fungal infections rather than self-medicating themselves with medicines for a longer period of time which could cause serious side effects.

Of millions of fungi species, only roughly infect humans in any significant way. Here are a few common fungal infections and their causes. Also Read: Mucormycosis: The Deadly Fungal Infection In COVID Patients. Yoghurt and other probiotics have an ample amount of good bacteria that help stave off many fungal infections.

These fight off microbes that cause these infections. Fermented foods are another excellent source of probiotics. If these are not helping, you could use probiotic supplements that have more concentrated dosages of good bacteria.

Read more on the health benefits of yoghurt. Clean the affected area with soap and water twice daily before you apply any home remedies or any other medication.

This will control the spread of infection. While soap and water may not always be able to eliminate a fungal infection entirely, it helps to keep the spread down and lower the intensity of the infection. Searching for best anti-fungal soap?

Check out — Abzorb Antifungal Soap. Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties. You could mix two tablespoons in warm water and drink it up or dip a cotton ball in it and dab over your skin.

Doing this thrice a day should produce beneficial results. Know more about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal and antibacterial. Mix it with any carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil and dab over the infected area about three to four times a day.

This is one of the most effective home remedies to treat fungal infections. In its unheated form, even coconut oil works as a potent antifungal agent. Applying it over the skin makes it a good, safe topical medicine.

Since it is easy on the skin, it is also useful to treat scalp ringworm. Use over the skin three times a day. Turmeric is a potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory spice. Mix with a little water and apply over the infected area.

To get benefits in the internal body environment, mix with warm water, or have turmeric tea. This is one of the easiest home remedies for fungal infection as turmeric is present in all Indian kitchens across households. One of the most time-tested natural remedies to cure any skin infection is aloe vera.

It not only treats the infection but also soothes and repairs skin damage. Garlic is one of the most potent antifungal and antimicrobial herbs. Those who eat garlic regularly are less susceptible to fungal infections.

Crush a couple of garlic with some olive oil and make a paste. Apply to the infected area for about thirty minutes. Certain medications, such as birth control pills , corticosteroids and antibiotics, disrupt the balance of microorganisms in the mouth.

Birth control pills can adversely affect the body, leading to a candida infection. Some women find that birth control pills instigate yeast infections and allow candida to take root. A study involving patients that was conducted in Italy found that oral contraceptives may influence the recurrence of candidiasis.

According to the study, patients with recurrent candida overgrowth were more likely than the control group to have used birth control pills in the year before evaluation, to have used antibiotics in the last month and to have a higher number of lifetime sex partners, which increases the risk of candida vaginitis.

Corticosteroid inhalants that are commonly used by people with asthma may also be problematic because they increase the risk of developing candida in the mouth. In the last decade, there has been ample scientific evidence for the immune dysfunction associated with antibiotic use and the reduction of healthy probiotics.

Overuse of antibiotics kills both the good and bad bacteria in the body, allowing candida to flourish. Probiotics are the good bacteria or flora that live in the digestive tract. These bacteria, yeasts and molds make up 70 percent to 85 percent of the immune system and help us to break down foods and gain nutrition from them.

Cancer patients have an increased risk of candida infection because the disease and treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, weaken the immune system — allowing the bad microbes to spread and inhabit the body. A study published in the Journal of Infection found that invasive candidiasis is a common and serious complication of cancer and cancer treatments.

Thirty-three percent 74 out of of patients who were being treated for cancer had active candida pathogens and confirmed diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. People with untreated or uncontrolled diabetes have large amounts of sugar in their saliva, encouraging the growth of candida.

Because candida is a type of yeast, and sugar feeds yeast, it is clear that people with diabetes are at a greater risk for developing oral thrush. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism , diabetic patients are more susceptible to infections because the hyperglycemic environment causes immune dysfunction.

Sugars and bacteria can build up on dentures, allowing for candida to thrive and overpower the good bacteria in the mouth, especially if the person has taken too any antibiotics in the past or has a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates.

It is important that people with dentures take good care of them — cleaning them properly every day. Plaque accumulation on dentures may lead to a buildup of microorganisms and candida overgrowth.

According to a Brazilian study, of the many health benefits of cinnamon , one is its anticandidal compounds that can be effectively utilized for the control of thrush. Research published in Pathogens and Disease investigated cranberry juice and extracts for their effects on oral candida.

The study authors found that cranberry possesses anti-adhesion agents that help prevent candida activity. Fermented vegetables strengthen the immune system and boost microflora in the body.

Kimchi, pickles and sauerkraut provide the body with probiotics and help restore the balance of bacteria in the mouth and body. Vegetables like sweet potatoes, yams, peas, mung beans, lentils, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots and beets are able to support the spleen in clearing candida from the body.

Adding cultured dairy and probiotic foods to your diet, like goat milk kefir and probiotic yogurt, can effectively kill the candida in the body by boosting probiotics and helping restore the balance of bacteria. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, and the combination of lauric acid and caprylic acid found in coconut oil kills off harmful candida through ingestion and topical application.

A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that coconut oil was active against species of candida at percent concentration compared to fluconazole, a common antifungal medication prescribed to patients with candida overgrowth.

Coconut oil pulling is one of the best ways to promote a healthy mouth. According to the Indian Journal of Dental Research , oil pulling detoxifies the oral cavity and creates a clean, antiseptic environment.

Spit out the oil in the trash, and immediately rinse your mouth out with warm water and brush your teeth. Processed and refined, sugary foods create the environment that candida and other diseases need to survive. Even fruit and natural sugars, like honey and maple syrup, should only be eaten in small amounts.

A study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine found that eliminating excessive use of sugary foods brought about a dramatic reduction in the incidence and severity of candida overgrowth. The study involving women was undertaken in an attempt to gain insight about the role of dietary sugar ingestion in the pathogenesis of this type of infection.

Alcohol is another substance to avoid in order to treat or prevent oral thrush. Alcohol weakens the immune system and allows for the growth of candida.