Top 12 Natural Home Remedies For Oral Thrush In Adults & Babies

Updated: 07/09/2019

The first step which you ought to do to help treat oral thrush condition is to boost your immune system by eating a healthy diet every day. In addition, maintaining good oral hygiene, taking regular exercise and getting proper rest or sleep are also good ideas to treat oral thrush. Besides, applying natural home remedies is a good way to control the inflammation and reduce the symptoms of oral thrush. If you want to know what they are, please continue reading this article to know the best natural home remedies for oral thrush in adults and babies.

 

Top 12 Natural Home Remedies For Oral Thrush In Adults And Babies

While we are listing the scientific evidence, the recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies so proceed with caution depending on your oral thrush status. Always consult your doctor and check your condition regularly to know if a remedy is working for you.

I. What Is Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is one of the common diseases in adults and babies and is known medically as oropharyngeal candidiasis or oral candidiasis. It is a type of yeast infection, which develops on your tongue and inside your mouth^[1]. Oral thrush happens when your immune system cannot maintain its natural defense against the Candida albicans fungus^[2]; as a result, this fungus grows out of control. This infection can lead to soreness and creamy-white lesions on your tongue or inner cheeks. If it is not controlled, it may spread to the roof of your gums, tonsils, mouth, along with the back of your throat although this only usually occurs in someone with suppressed immunity. If you do not know whether or not your symptoms are due to oral thrush, see your doctor. Some common oral thrush symptoms include soreness, loss of taste, redness, difficulty in swallowing, as well as a cottony feeling. While anybody is able to develop oral thrush, infants, elderly people, or those who wear dentures or have a weak immune system are more likely to develop oral thrush than others. Additionally, people who are suffering from diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, Down syndrome, or a vaginal yeast infection also get this disease more easily.

II. Home Remedies For Oral Thrush

1. Salt

Salt can create an inhospitable environment for fungus. It can also help you to reduce symptoms of oral thrush quickly^[3]. Gargling salt water is also beneficial for treating many mouth disorders such as bad odor, oral thrush and tooth ache. It also aids in destroying bacteria, germs, fungus and yeast.

Remedy 1

• Take a half or a teaspoon of salt and a cup of warm water.
• Mix them well together.
• Gargle with this solution thoroughly.
• Spit the solution out.
• Do this remedy a few times every day until you get a positive result.

Remedy 2

• Take half a teaspoon of salt.
• Sprinkle it inside your mouth and on your tongue.
• Use your finger to rub salt gently.
• Do this for a few seconds.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Do this process twice per day for a few days or until you get a positive result.

Do not swallow the salt.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda can kill the yeast causing fungal infection^[4]. It additionally helps to maintain good pH levels in your mouth by neutralizing acids. It also acts as an anti-fungal property that kills and dehydrates the fungus or yeast^[5]. Moreover, it discourages the further growth of microorganism and helps to keep the skin clean and dry.

Remedy 1

• Take one or two teaspoons of baking soda.
• Pour an enough water to make a paste.
• Apply this paste to your tongue and your inner cheek area by using a cotton ball
• Leave it on for a few minutes.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Follow this remedy twice or three times per day until you see an improvement.

Remedy 2

• Take a half teaspoon of baking soda.
• Dissolve it in a glass of water.
• Rinse your mouth with this solution.
• Follow these steps twice a day.
• Keep doing every day until you completely get rid of oral thrush.

Do not swallow the baking soda.

3. Turmeric And Milk

Turmeric has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to deal with many medical conditions.  According to a study, the presence of curcumin in turmeric significantly restricted the candida growth isolated from patients with HIV in the laboratory^[6]. Curcumin can reduce the yeast cells’ resistance to antifungal medicines such as fluconazole. Turmeric also exhibits antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties which can help you get rid of oral thrush^[7].

• Peel some fresh turmeric and crush, or take some turmeric powder.
• Pour two full spoons of milk onto three teaspoons of turmeric.
• Mix them well together.
• Swish this solution around your mouth for a few minutes.
• Spit it out.
• Do this remedy twice every day until your condition is improved.

4. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can kill the fungi which cause thrush infections^[8]. In a study published in the journal “Phytomedicine,” in March 2009, researchers indicated that lemon juice harbors antifungal agents and was an inexpensive and effective treatment for candidiasis^[9].

• Cut a lemon in half.
• Squeeze the juice from the lemon.
• Dilute this juice with a similar amount of water.
• Swish in your mouth.
• Do this treatment at least four times a day until you notice a positive result.

5. Yogurt

Yogurt contains probiotics which are active or live cultures of beneficial bacteria (eg Lactobacillus). These species can help you deal with your oral thrush problem^[10]. It can also improve your digestion^[11]. However, to treat oral thrush, ensure you use unsweetened, plain yogurt.

• Rub a little yogurt inside your mouth and on your tongue.
• Let it sit from 5 to 10 minutes.
• Use warm water to rinse your mouth thoroughly.
• Do this process once or twice a day.
• Repeat every day until you get a result.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar With Salt

Apple cider vinegar has enzymes which can control candida infection. It also restores the pH level of your body so that the growth of yeast infection can be controlled. Furthermore, it can help to boost your immune system while providing a strong defense against candida. According to a 2014 study published by the Journal of Prosthodontics, antifungal properties in apple cider vinegar could be used against candida species associated with wearing dentures^[12].

• Prepare a half teaspoon of salt, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and a cup of warm water
• Mix these ingredients well.
• Rinse your mouth with this solution.
• Follow this procedure several times a day.
• Repeat every day until you see an improvement.

7. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is beneficial in inhibiting the development of yeast cells which causes oral thrush^{[13] [14]}. According to a 2001 study published by Molecular and Cellular, oregano oil has antifungal properties which can help fight Candida albicans^[15]. The oil can also boost your immune system.

• Take three drops of oregano oil.
• Pour them into a glass of water.
• Stir well.
• Drink this solution twice every day in a few days or in a week.
• You can also consume oregano oil capsules, but consult a doctor before taking these capsules.

8. Tea Tree Oil

According to a research in 2014 published by the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, antifungal properties in tea tree oil are beneficial in fighting against Candida albicans^[16]. These properties of tea tree oil also help to control the yeast’s growth to hasten recovery^{[17] [18]}.

• Prepare about 4 to 5 drops of tea tree oil.
• Pour them into a cup of warm water.
• Gargle with this solution for a few minutes.
• Follow this process twice a day.
• Repeat every day until your condition is improved.

Note: Don’t ingest tea tree oil because it may cause side effects.

9. Cinnamon Tea

Thanks to its powerful antifungal and antiparasitic properties, cinnamon can control Candida albicans’ growth^[19].

• Pour a half teaspoon of cinnamon powder into 1 ½ cup of water.
• Boil it for 5 minutes and strain the liquid.
• Add a little fresh lemon juice if desired.
• Drink one or two cups of this tea every day until your condition is improved.
• You can use the cinnamon stick instead if you don’t have cinnamon powder.

Note: Pregnant women should not use cinnamon.

10. Green Tea

Green tea is an effective remedy for oral thrush as it has antifungal properties^{[20] [21]}. Green tea is also protective against free radicals and its antioxidant properties have beneficial effects on the body’s immune system.

• Clean some green tea leaves carefully.
• Boil them with water and a little salt.
• Dip a soft cotton cloth into this tea.
• Allow to cool down.
• Wipe the tongue of your baby with the cooled green tea
• Do this a few times per day until you see an improvement

Note: Because of some properties in green tea, this remedy is suitable for over-6-month babies, but check with your doctor first.

If you want to know more about natural at home remedies for other diseases and conditions, go to our main Home Remedies page.