Oral candidiasis, also commonly referred to as oral thrush, is a yeast infection caused by a fungus known as Candida Albicans. This condition is very common, as the body has some yeast levels which are known to be harmless. The immune system is responsible in keeping these levels by ensuring that the fungus does not grow to levels that can be harmful. However, there are several factors that could lead to the increased growth of the fungus, hence leading to yeast infection on the mouth region. Apart from attacking adults, the condition also affects infants.

Oral candidiasis differs in stages, in that it can be minor and without any pain or it can be very painful and serious, spreading to other areas of the body. It is, however, not contagious. The most common symptoms of oral thrush include white thick deposits occurring on the mouth surface, as well as the throat. The lips and tongue might also have lesions or rashes, which can cause a burning sensation, especially in adults.

It is known that the main cause of the disease is the over growing of the fungus present in the body. However, there are a few aspects that could lead to this increase. Some of the causes for the increase are a weakened immune system, therapy for cancer and even HIV. Oral contraceptives, steroids and some antibiotics can also attack the bacteria considered to be good in the body, hence leading to the condition. After the bacteria are attacked, the immune system is definitely weakened, leaving the body prone to diseases and illnesses, such as oral candidiasis.

Most people find that they do not know what to do when faced with this condition, while some will first run to the doctor to know what is wrong and could end up buying medications for the condition. While this is the right thing to do, there are several home remedies for the condition that one can use safely at home and without the need to spend much on them. These natural remedies for oral candidiasis are safe to use and have been proven to be very effective in the treatment of the condition. Patients are normally advised to try the natural path first before going for the synthetic drugs offered in medical centers, most of which have side effects.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home Remedies for Oral Candidiasis

Yogurt as a Home Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: Yogurt has acidophilus and lactobacillus which have been found to be effective in the treatment of the thrush. They work as antibiotics, thereby treating and preventing oral candidiasis. The yogurt should, however, be of good quality to get good results. It can also be taken on a regular basis as a diet for the condition.

Using Yogurt as Treatment for Oral Candidiasis:

Patients who suffer from the thrush should make a point of eating several bowls of the yogurt during the day. The yogurt can also be applied onto the areas affected, such as the lips, to get rid of any burning sensation that might be present. This is one of the best home remedies for oral thrush.

Coconut Oil as a Natural Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: The caprylic acid found in coconut water helps in the treatment of the condition. This substance is widely used for the treatment of the condition, among other conditions attacking the human body.

Using Coconut Oil as Cure for Oral Candidiasis:

Take a good amount of the oil and put in the mouth allowing it to melt there. It should then be swished around the mouth for five minutes or more. However, it is important to ensure that you do not end up swallowing the oil, and instead, spit it as soon as the swishing part is over and rinse the mouth well. This can be repeated three times a day, to offer effective results within a short period of time.

Tea Tree Oil as a Home Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: Tea Tree oil contains essential oils making it a great mouthwash for patients suffering from oral candidiasis. The oil is also used in the treatment of other conditions, especially those affecting the digestive and the respiratory systems.

Using Tea Tree Oil as Treatment for Oral Candidiasis:

Take a few drops of the oil and add in warm water. This should then be used as mouthwash by swishing it around the mouth. It is best done in intervals of five minutes and can be repeated twice daily, till the symptoms of the thrush disappear. The wash should be spat out after swishing. This is one of the most beneficial natural remedies for oral thrush.

Grapefruit Extract as a Natural Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: Grapefruit extracts have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-parasitic properties, making it one of the most effective natural remedies for the condition. Apart from dealing with the bad bacteria present in the body, it aids the healing process and gets rid of any pain and burning that could be as a result of the thrush.

Using Grapefruit Extract as Cure for Oral Candidiasis:

Take the seeds of grapefruits and dip in water to make it easy to get the extracts. A cotton ball should then be dipped into extracts and applied onto the areas affected by the thrush. This remedy is also very safe for babies suffering from the condition, and mothers can either apply the extracts on nipples or wipe the mouth of the baby using a cotton ball dipped into the extracts.

Garlic as a Home Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: Garlic has antibiotic and antifungal properties, as well as antibacterial properties. These properties make it a very effective remedy when faced with cases of oral thrush, as it aids in killing bacteria and healing the lesions that result from the condition.

Using Garlic as Treatment for Oral Candidiasis:

Take a garlic clove and suck on it. This can be put in the mouth and slowly sucked on during the day, to offer the right kind of treatment to patients. Garlic can also be used when preparing food as diet for oral thrush. When dried, it can be ground into powder and the powder added in water, before gargling.

Oregano Oil as a Natural Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: Oregano oil has antifungal properties, making it one of the best home remedies for oral thrush. The remedy helps get rid of the problem within a short period of time, thereby putting an end to the painful or uncomfortable condition.

Using Oregano Oil as Cure for Oral Candidiasis:

Mix a few drops of the oil with coconut oil and add in a glass of warm water. The solution should then be swished around the mouth to offer effective treatment. The oils are very strong and work within a few days of use. The procedure can be repeated three times as day, till the desired results are gotten.

Plantain Seeds as Home Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: Plantain seeds are some of the most beneficial natural remedies for oral thrush, as they contain essential mineral and compounds, which help in treating the condition. The minerals work by helping stop the spread of the disease.

Using Plantain Seeds as Treatment for Oral Candidiasis:

Take a handful of the seeds and soak in water overnight. The water should then be used as mouthwash several times during the day to provide the right kind of treatment to oral lesions. This is also a good home remedy for getting rid of pain. The remedy is also good for breastfeeding mothers. The soaked seeds can be crushed into paste and the paste then applied onto the nipples and the affected areas of the baby.

Echinacea as a Natural Remedy for Oral Candidiasis

Properties: Echinacea has antibacterial and antibiotic properties, making it a good natural remedy for the treatment of oral thrush. The herb is also widely used as treatment for several other conditions affecting the human body.

Using Echinacea as Cure for Oral Candidiasis:

Take the herb and add to boiling water. After cooling, the water can be strained and used as mouthwash to treat oral thrush. The herb can also be dried and ground into powder, then used to make a paste. This should then be applied onto the areas of infection. This is one of the most helpful natural remedies for oral candidiasis.

Other Home Remedies for Oral Candidiasis

Take licorice and add in a glass of warm water, and then use as mouth wash to treat oral thrush. Licorice contains antifungal properties, making it an effective home remedy for the condition. This is one of the best home remedies for oral candidiasis.

Myrrh is another great natural remedy for the treatment of the oral thrush. It can also be mixed in water and then used as mouthwash for the condition. It is actually advisable to use the mouthwash every few hours, during the day, to get effective results from the condition.

Take a piece of cotton wool and clean the layers of fungus inside the mouth and tongue. This should be done without exerting too much pressure onto the tongue, as it is a very sensitive part of the body. This procedure aids in the healing process of any lesions that are present on the tongue.

Take a glass of warm water and add apple cider vinegar and a little amount of salt, to make a mouthwash. The mouthwash can then be used to rinse the mouth every few hours and can be repeated on a daily basis, as an effective way of dealing with oral candidiasis. This is one of the simplest and most effective natural remedies for the thrush.

Take a few onion pieces and crush, before adding in warm water. The water can then be gargled to treat thrush. Raw onions can also be used in meals and salads, as diet for oral thrush, as they have proved to be very helpful in dealing with various conditions affecting the human body.

Take several glasses of buttermilk on a daily basis, as treatment for the thrush. The milk contains essential minerals which help in dealing with the condition, effectively getting rid of most of the symptoms that come as a result. It is one of the best home remedies for oral candidiasis.

Take several bananas every day as home remedy for the condition. The bananas can also be included in diets to help in the prevention of the oral thrush. Another simple way of dealing with oral thrush is adding salt in warm water and then using this as mouthwash. Doing this on a daily basis helps in effective treatment of the condition. It is always advisable for the mouthwash to be spat after use, instead of swallowing.

Diet for Oral Candidiasis and other Precautions

Always take a balanced diet. Those suffering from the condition should increase food rich in fiber in their diets, as an effective way of dealing with the problem, preventing future occurrences and also as a way of maintaining good levels of blood sugar.

Increase your daily intakes of foods rich in Vitamin B and C, as well as foods rich in zinc, iron and other essential minerals and nutrients. These can easily be found in fresh vegetables and fruits, which should be included in daily diets.

Maintain good oral hygiene by keeping the mouth clean through regular brushing. Flossing can also be done at least once a day. Dentures should be well fitting as a way of preventing oral thrush.

Avoid foods that are rich in sugars, as they offer a breeding ground for the fungus, leading to the thrush.

Drink enough water on a daily basis as a way of washing out toxins and wastes from the body and to also promote good body functions.

Smoking should be avoided, as it contributes to dry mouth, which then causes oral thrush. Instead of smoking, water and fresh fruit juices can be taken as a healthy way of fighting the infection.

Avoid foods that are too refined, or those that are too oily, and ensure that you visit your dentist every once in a while, just to be sure that your oral condition is perfect.