How to get rid of thrush: 8 home remedies for fungal plaque on the tongue

How to get rid of thrush: 8 home remedies for fungal plaque on the tongue

What is that white stuff on my tongue? And why does your mouth feel “weird” – maybe a bit like sandpaper? It may be a sign of thrush.

Thrush can affect anyone, but some people are much more susceptible.

"Thrush typically occurs in children whose immune systems are still developing or in older adults whose immune systems are gradually declining," says otolaryngologist Tony Reisman, MD. “People who suffer from diseases that affect the immune system are also more susceptible.

Although thrush usually goes away on its own, there are home remedies that can speed healing and relieve pain. Dr. Reisman explains what remedies you can try.

What is thrush?

Thrush is a fungal infection that can form in the mouth, throat, and other parts of the body.

Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of a type of fungus called Candida. Thrush in the mouth and throat is called oropharyngeal candidiasis.

In the mouth, thrush can look like cottage cheese – white, raised lesions on the tongue and cheeks. Thrush can quickly become irritated and cause pain and redness in the mouth.

It can be difficult to determine whether your oral problems are related to the candida fungus that causes thrush. So how can you tell if you have thrush in your mouth or a normal tongue? Common signs include:

• Ein weißer, hüttenkäseartiger Belag
• Rötung, Brennen oder Wunden im Mund
• Veränderung des Geschmacksempfindens
• Risse auf der Zunge oder in den Mundwinkeln
• Ein trockenes, baumwoll- oder sandpapierartiges Gefühl.

Home remedies for thrush

Dr. Reisman recommends practicing good oral hygiene for three to four weeks to see if thrush goes away on its own. Here are a few home remedies that can also help.

Rinse with salt water

Try dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swish the salt water rinse back and forth in your mouth for 1 to 2 minutes, then spit the mixture out. With its antiseptic properties, salt can help soothe and cleanse the mouth.

baking powder

As with the salt and water solution, mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth and then spit it out. A study has shown that using baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a good home disinfectant.

yogurt

When you have thrush, the yeast in your mouth is out of balance. Eating yogurt can be a great way to restore this balance. But you shouldn't eat just any yogurt. Look for varieties that contain probiotics or live cultures and are not sweetened. Yogurt doesn't kill the thrush bacteria, but it does stop their growth.

lemon juice

Some believe that lemon juice can help with thrush due to its antiseptic and antifungal properties, but do not apply lemon juice directly to the lesions as it can cause burning and irritation. If you want to try lemon juice, mix the juice of half a lemon with a cup of water. You can drink the mixture or use it as a mouthwash.

turmeric

A study shows that curcumin, the compound found in turmeric, may help treat thrush thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. The study also shows that it is even more effective when combined with piperine, a compound found in black pepper. You can make a drink using 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric paste, a cup of water or milk, and a pinch of black pepper. Heat the mixture on the stove until warm. As you drink the mixture, let it slosh around your mouth.

Oregano oil

Oregano oil, commonly used in cooking, can help treat thrush. A study shows that its antimicrobial and antifungal properties were effective against Candida. However, be careful about using oregano oil alone, whether orally or topically. Instead, use a mixture of a few drops of oregano oil and water swished in your mouth. After a few minutes, spit the mixture out.

Apple cider vinegar

Thanks to apple cider vinegar's antifungal properties, a study shows that it may help treat thrush. However, avoid using apple cider vinegar straight as it can cause burning in the mouth. Instead, mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of water. Swish it around your mouth for a minute and then spit it out.

Clove oil

You may have seen clove oil in the dentist's office before. The oil is used as an antiseptic and pain reliever. A study shows that clove oil is as effective as the antiviral drug nystatin in treating thrush.

For home use, you can either take a supplement or make a clove oil rinse. Steep ground cloves in hot water for 5 minutes and then strain. Swish the mixture around your mouth and then spit it out.

Does thrush go away on its own?

Thrush often goes away on its own if you eliminate the cause of the problem.

“For example, if antibiotics have caused thrush, the body may return to a natural yeast balance after a few weeks,” says Dr. Reisman.

Inhaled oral steroids, used to treat asthma, can also cause thrush. Dr. Reisman says thrush can be prevented by rinsing and gargling with tap water after using the inhaler.

If it's been a few weeks and you've been dutifully rinsing your mouth twice a day but the white stuff is still there, it's time to call your primary care doctor.

If it's thrush, your doctor will probably prescribe an antifungal rinse. You will need to use the mouthwash for 10 to 14 days until the infection clears.

However, if your symptoms do not improve or you continue to experience thrush, you should see an ear, nose and throat doctor to discuss diagnosis and treatment.

Prevention of thrush

People who are prone to thrush—whether due to dentures, immune system-suppressing medications, or a condition like HIV—can take steps to avoid thrush (because you can't take an antifungal forever).

Dr. Reisman recommends these behaviors to avoid thrush:

• Gehen Sie zu Ihrem Zahnarzt. Achten Sie auf eine gute Mundhygiene und lassen Sie zweimal im Jahr eine professionelle Zahnreinigung durchführen.
• Spülen Sie mehrmals täglich den Mund. Wenn Sie Steroid-Inhalatoren benötigen, spülen Sie Ihren Mund nach der Anwendung aus.
• Trinken Sie ausreichend Wasser. Achten Sie darauf, dass Sie viel Flüssigkeit zu sich nehmen, damit Ihr Mund nicht trocken wird.
• Begrenzen Sie die zuckerhaltigen Lebensmittel, von denen sich Hefepilze ernähren, und achten Sie auf einen guten Blutzuckerspiegel, insbesondere wenn Sie Diabetes haben.
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