What is oral thrush? Diagnosis and treatment of infant oral thrush

What is oral thrush and how dangerous is it?

In response to the question of what is oral thrush in a baby and how dangerous is it, it should be said that this problem is a type of yeast infection that is not dangerous. This infection appears mostly in parts such as lips, oral cavity and throat and can be accompanied by pain.

Oral thrush is actually white or creamy yellow spots that are not dangerous for your child, but can make him uncomfortable and make excuses. Also, since it creates a disturbance in the way of breastfeeding, it will also cause you discomfort and worry.

But you should know that this problem will eventually be solved with all the difficulties and inconveniences. Therefore, if you face such a problem, it is recommended to go to the dentist to relieve the child’s pain by following the necessary instructions and finish the treatment as soon as possible.

What causes oral thrush in a baby?

The body of all humans hosts different types of bacteria, some of which lead to infection. In relation to thrush fungal infection, it should also be said that this problem occurs when the balance in the body is disturbed. Be careful that some babies get fungus and fungal infections for the first time in the birth canal, and after they take antibiotics, the balance in the body is disturbed and this causes thrush.

This problem usually occurs at birth, and for this reason, it is considered related to the period of infancy and several months. Of course, if children at an older age use antibiotics to fight other types of infection, it is also possible to get this problem, because antibiotics also cause the destruction of beneficial bacteria.

Keep in mind that thrush fungal infection is contagious and can be exchanged between mother and baby. In fact, if your baby has oral thrush, breastfeeding causes this fungus to develop on the mother’s nipples. Of course, the opposite of this also exists and the mother can transfer this fungus to the baby.

Diagnosing oral thrush in babies

Now, you may have a question about the diagnosis of oral thrush in a baby, how can such a problem be diagnosed? To detect oral thrush in a baby, just look at your baby’s tongue. If you notice white or yellow spots that are related to thrush, you can visit a pediatric dentist.

Of course, if you are very worried and want to find out about this problem as soon as possible in order to start the treatment, you should know that online dental visits are also available today. You can find out about this problem by sending a picture of your child’s tongue and mouth to the doctor. The symptoms of this disease are:

• Seeing pieces similar to cottage cheese on the baby’s lips and inside the mouth, which are not easily washed off.
• Baby crying while eating milk or sucking pacifier and bottle
• Raised, patchy, bright or dark red spots on the groin and under the diaper

Does thrush in the baby’s mouth hurt?

One of the questions that arise for most mothers is, does thrush in the baby’s mouth hurt? In answer to this question, it should be said that thrush on the baby’s tongue is a solvable and simple problem, but it can be unpleasant and painful for your baby, because this problem causes difficulty in the baby’s eating and certainly causes him trouble.

Is there a way to prevent oral thrush in a baby?

Maybe by reading the article up to now, you have asked if there is a way to prevent thrush in babies? In response, it should be said that some babies are naturally susceptible to this fungal infection, but there are measures that can be taken to reduce the possibility of this problem.

• The start of this disease is caused by the use of antibiotics, so our advice to you is that you should never give antibiotics to your child on your own and be sure to use this medicine under the supervision of a doctor. Also keep in mind that viral infections are not treated with antibiotics.
• The second thing that is effective in preventing this disease is that if you get vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy, be sure to see a doctor so that your problem can be completely treated. Because otherwise, this fungus will be transferred to your child during childbirth.
• The next thing you need to pay attention to is discharge or pain in the nipple area. If you experience any of these while breastfeeding, tell your doctor to get checked for a yeast infection. Be careful that if you have this infection, it will also transfer it to the baby’s mouth.
• Regularly disinfect and sterilize the pacifier, milk bottle, and breast pump that are in direct contact with the mother’s breast, because it is possible that these items may cause an infection in your baby’s mouth and cause thrush.
• Another recommendation we have for you is to wash and dry your breasts after each breastfeeding. This work prevents the growth of bacteria and germs in the nipple area and does not create a problem during breastfeeding for the baby.
• Wash your underwear regularly in hot water and dry them in the sun to keep germs away. It is also recommended to choose the material of your underwear in such a way that they do not retain moisture and do not cause the growth of germs and bacteria.

Treatment of infant thrush

After the doctor diagnoses the baby’s oral thrush, he will treat this problem by prescribing the necessary drugs. The process of treating oral thrush in a baby is usually for both the mother and the baby so that this disease is not transmitted from one to the other. Usually, the doctor’s prescription in such cases will be appropriate drops and gel, and if necessary, the mother should also use medicines.

Home treatment of infant thrush

Many mothers are looking for home treatment of baby thrush, and in this regard, it should be said that some things help to treat this problem. But keep in mind that no scientific research has been done on these treatments and it is better to consult a doctor before using them.

Adding lactobacillus is one of the treatments for infant thrush that you should add to your child’s diet as suggested by your doctor. Also, other home remedies such as using grapefruit, coconut oil and soda will also help to solve the problem; Of course, it will be difficult to use these items to treat oral thrush in a two-month-old baby or a three-month-old baby, and it is recommended to use these treatments for older children.

Treatment of baby thrush with floss

The use of floss is a herbal treatment method for infant thrush, and floss is widely used in traditional medicine. In addition to treating oral thrush in babies, this plant is also used to treat other problems such as digestive problems, intestines, liver, etc. Therefore, you can use this method of treatment, but it is better for your child to be under the supervision of a doctor so that the treatment is done well.

One of the solutions that the traditional medicine expert considers suitable for the treatment of oral thrush in babies is using baking soda. Therefore, you should mix baking soda with water and then use your finger to wash the baby’s mouth with this mixture.

Baby oral thrush medicine

So far, we have introduced some treatment methods for infant oral thrush. Now, if you haven’t gotten the desired result from any of them, you can use nystatin or drops for infant thrush.

Of course, the use of this medicine should not be done on your own without consulting a doctor, because the amount and duration of its use will be different for each baby. Also, be careful to complete the period of use and if the disease improves by the middle of the period of taking the medicine, do not stop taking the medicine and finish it.