Home Remedies To Treat Oral Yeast Infection: A Review
Have you ever wondered what are the home remedies to treat oral thrush and why they are considered useful for it? In that case, keep reading to solve all your doubts.
Given the reluctance of many people to consume drugs to combat different health problems, the use of home remedies and natural origin has expanded considerably. However, this is a risky practice.
Next, we will review the remedies that are most often proposed in the treatment of oral candidiasis and how appropriate they are or which ones may be the most indicated to complement drug treatment.
When a drug-based treatment is prescribed, the intention is not to harm the person, but to use the best developed (and therefore adequate) resources to help them regain their balance. Therefore, drugs are not the enemies of health or the body.
What is yeast infection? A review
Oral candidiasis occurs due to the fungus Candida albicans , a normal microorganism in the mouth that can overgrow under certain conditions.
The symptoms of yeast infection appear when the fungus accumulates in the lining of the mouth. In general, the main manifestations are usually white plaques on the tongue or the inside of the cheeks.
However, on certain occasions it can affect the upper part of the mouth reaching the gums, tonsils or the back of the throat.
Although oral candidiasis is a problem that does not usually carry great risks, in people with weakened immune systems it can develop with more severe and more difficult to control symptoms.
This is why, although anyone can have the disease, it is more common in infants or young adults, since they have reduced immunity. It can also be common in people who have suppressed immune systems, have certain diseases, or take certain medications.
Does garlic cope with oral thrush?
The idea that garlic could be a good alternative for both the prevention and the treatment of many infections has been widely spread, due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties . It would not be a substitute for medical treatment, but perhaps it could support it.
It is interesting to know that a review on the therapeutic effects of garlic indicates that “many fungi, including Candida, Torulopsis, Trichophyton, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Trichosporon and Rhodotorula, Aspergillus niger, C. albicans and Paracoccidiodes have been shown to be sensitive to the compounds of garlic ”.
On the other hand, in a study entitled: Antibacterial effect of the extract of Allium sativum (garlic) white, purple and Chlorhexidine at 0.12% on strains of Streptococcus mutans , it is indicated the effect is similar to that of chlorhexidine, but not more ‘powerful’.
Again, a study on the antimicrobial and antifungal activity of garlic confirms that many fungi (such as candida) have been shown to be sensitive to garlic compounds. However, it also confirms that it is necessary to continue to deepen the matter to specify more details.
To take advantage of its benefits, in the popular sphere, a clove of garlic is recommended on each side of the cheeks and gums (and left there for half an hour), two or three times a day, to kill the microorganisms causing the infection.
This remedy is not proven to be 100% effective as an adjunctive treatment. Even so, there are those who have been encouraged to try it, after consulting their treating doctor.
It should be borne in mind that treating oral candidiasis only with garlic, the problem could be aggravated. Therefore, you must always follow the doctor’s recommendations and always include this food as a supplement to the diet.
Does yogurt work?
Plain yogurt is a probiotic food, which means it contains healthy bacteria. These can help fight an infection such as oral yeast infection when consumed regularly. Be careful, it is a good complement to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, not a cure in itself; it is necessary to be very clear about this.
It is worth mentioning that yogurt should be consumed, if possible, avoiding mixing it with sugar, sweeteners, syrups and other similar additives.
What about tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil is another element that is often recommended in the home treatment of various infections. In the case of oral candidiasis, there are those who recommend it as a mouthwash, diluting ten drops of the oil in a glass of water.
However, it is best to avoid these types of remedies and consult your doctor about their use, before venturing to do the test on your own.
Other measures
During the treatment of oral candidiasis, it is advisable to follow all the doctor’s instructions and maintain good hygiene habits. In fact, it is important and very convenient to use mouthwash, at least twice a day (in the morning and before going to sleep), in order to combat infectious agents in the mouth.
In addition, in the case of those who use prosthetics, special care must be taken and washing the mouth more frequently than normal. This is because inside the prostheses food debris usually accumulates that can produce fungi.
