How to treat oral thrush in adults

Candidiasis in the oral cavity is most common in children, but the disease is often diagnosed in adults. In medical terminology, it is called oral candidiasis; in common parlance, the disease is called thrush. With thrush, fungi from the genus Candida multiply in the mouth. In this case, the person experiences an unpleasant feeling in the oral cavity and even loses the sense of taste. Treatment of the disease in adults will depend on many indicators and should only be dealt with by a specialist.

Causes of thrush in the mouth

Fungus in the mouth can appear due to a weakened immune system. For this reason, the disease is diagnosed in childhood and in women during pregnancy. Oral candidiasis in men is extremely rare. The cause of male oral thrush can be constant smoking, when cigarette smoke gradually disrupts the normal microflora in the mouth.

The main route of infection is airborne, which is:

• through kisses;
• during oral sex;
• through dishes;
• with improper personal hygiene.

There are a number of people who are at risk:

• those who wear dentures or have to take corticosteroids;
• people with endocrine system disorders;
• with long-term use of hormonal drugs or antibiotics;
• when there is a hormonal imbalance, this most often occurs in pregnant women;
• smokers;
• HIV-infected;
• drug addicts;
• people with gastrointestinal disorders;
• patients with diabetes mellitus;
• drinkers;
• those who have wounds in the mouth.

Treatment for thrush in the mouth

Treatment It will be effective if you find out the cause of thrush and eliminate it first. Then there will be no relapse of the disease. In mild cases of oral candidiasis, tests and further therapy will be prescribed by the dentist. In case of severe oral thrush, it is better to immediately consult an infectious disease specialist.

Only after passing the appropriate tests will it be possible to talk about optimal therapeutic actions.  Initially, the symptoms of the disease are eliminated, then immunostimulants are prescribed, which will effectively eliminate the fungus.

Home therapy.

The following recipes will improve the condition of the oral microflora and eliminate fungal infections:

1. Sugar-free yogurt is recommended.
2. Rinsing with solutions of potassium permanganate, furacelin, chamomile flowers, miramistin, etc. will be effective.
3. Soda rinses: dilute 2 dessert spoons of soda with 1 glass of water. The result will only be visible with frequent rinsing.

During illness, you cannot do without a special diet. The consumption of sweet, smoked, fatty and salty foods is reduced. The following products are excluded:

• sweets;
• nuts;
• cheese products;
• bakery;
• white bread.

All this provokes the proliferation of fungi.

Drink clean water; in addition, it is recommended to include fruit drinks, cranberry juice, and lingonberry drink in your diet. Lemon, currant, pineapple, and grapefruit juices will be beneficial.  You should include foods containing vitamin C and probiotics in your menu. They will improve intestinal function and, therefore, improve immune function. If home treatment does not help, you should turn to medications.

Drugs against fungal infections.

Among pharmacological agents, various pharmacological agents are used in the form of tablets, solutions, gels, sprays and ointments.

1. Nystatin powder helps a lot. To do this, 1 tablet is crushed into powder and mixed with an ampoule of vitamin B12. Every time after eating, lubricate the painful areas in the mouth with the resulting mixture. To simplify the method, you can chew Nystatin in your mouth and hold it for a while, then spit it out.
2. Levorin tablets can be prescribed internally. During pregnancy, their use is prohibited.
3. Clotrimazole ointment effectively treats candidiasis. It is applied to cotton wool and placed behind the cheek.
4. The following series of drugs are also used for thrush: Mikomax, Decamine, Fluconazole, Fluorocytosine.
5. Antibacterial local drugs.

Don't forget about the rules of personal hygiene. Rinsing the mucous membrane should be mandatory during the treatment period, especially after meals. You should also brush your teeth twice a day. Visit your dentist regularly.

Preventing thrush in the mouth

The basis of preventive measures is proper oral care, and older people will also need proper care of their dentures. If antibiotics have been prescribed, the following dosage rules should be followed for preventive purposes:

1. At the same time, take Nystatin.
2. Taking vitamins or eating well is important.
3. Carry out a therapeutic alkaline mouth rinse.

If you are at risk of infection, then purchase a special toothpaste that contains a solution of borax in glycerin. To clean the denture, you should also purchase a special liquid for this at the pharmacy.  You don’t have to stick to a diet all the time, but you will have to cut back on some foods. These are carbonated drinks, store-bought ketchups and mayonnaise, factory-made confectionery and other sweets.