Yeast infection in mouth

Causes of Yeast Infection

Oral thrush or yeast infection of the mouth is usually caused by a fungus known as Candida. Common patients are people with weakened immune system, babies and elderly. Everyone has a small amount of yeast in the mouth, on the skin and in the digestive tract. Good bacteria and microorganisms maintain the balance and present yeast can’t do any harm. However, weakened immune system can cause imbalance and lead to yeast overgrowth and yeast infection.

Beside weakened immunity, stress, malnutrition and uncontrolled diabetes are also possible explanations for the development of yeast infection in the mouth. Several medications are also associated with disturbance of natural balance in the mouth. Antibiotics, corticosteroid drugs and birth control pills are among the medications blamed for oral thrush as well. Dry mouth, improperly fitted dentures, smoking or even pregnancy could also lead to yeast infections of the mouth. More serious cases of yeast infection in the mouth include cancer and HIV infection, since many of these patients are found to suffer from candidiasis.

Treating Oral Thrush

Antifungal drugs are usually sold over the counter and used for different yeast infections. For yeast infections in the mouth, there are antifungal pastilles, which should be sucked and then held in the mouth. These drugs are able to provoke local reaction and cure yeast infection. If the problem is more serious, your doctor may prescribe antifungal tablets or injections. These medications usually have systemic action so they are used to treat yeast infection that affected the whole body.

Some people advise using probiotics to cure yeast infection in the mouth. These products will restore healthy balance in your mouth and bring back good bacteria, thus reliving and curing yeast infection. Always make sure to consult your doctor, so you know which and how much of probiotics should you use.

Home remedies for oral thrush are raw garlic, water and vinegar. Some recommend eating a clove of garlic every day and keeping it in the mouth for about 30 seconds. This remedy is said to cure yeast infection in matter of days.

Avoid sugar and all products containing sugar if you want to get rid of the overgrown yeast in your mouth. Drink more water and ease the detoxification of your body. At the same time, water will flush remains of sugar from your mouth and yeast won’t be able to use these to grow further.

Apple cider vinegar, cold liquids, 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, salt water and even gentian violet are also used as home remedies for yeast infections.