Medicare magazine

The onset of thrush can be very painful and as the thrush symptoms worsens additional pain and complications may arise. Therefore it is important to try and minimize the chances of getting thrush.

Thrush is a result of an infection caused by the candida fungus, which is also known as yeast. When the candida fungus is disturbed by certain medications and illnesses it grows out of control, thus resulting in the condition known as thrush. Thrush is categorized by small white lesions in the mouth. These lesions are tender and may bleed when touched.

Most dentists recommend that the thrush treatment begin with the use of an anti-fungal medication that is taken for ten to fourteen days; however, there are alternative treatments that can be utilized to cure thrush and minimize its reoccurrence.

Alternative treatments that can lead to the cure of thrush include:

• Eating yogurt
• Mixing baking soda and water and swishing within the mouth
• Using plantain seeds or psyllium seeds
• Rinsing the mouth with salt water

Yogurt contains anti-fungal properties which aide in the thrush treatment and prevention of thrush if consumed on a regular basis.

Mixing one teaspoon of baking soda with eight ounces of water creates a solution that is suitable for treating thrush. This solution should be swished around in the mouth for several seconds at a time.

If plantain seeds are to be used for the treatment of thrush, they should be soaked in enough water to cover them. Over a period of time the plantain seeds will swell and make a gel-like substance which can be put on the lesions to aide in the treatment of thrush.

A warm salt water rinse can be used to ease the pain that is brought on with thrush; however, do not swallow the salt water. Swish the warm salt water rinse around in the mouth and then spit.

It may also be viable to utilize a product that is made of natural ingredients to aid in the treatment of thrush. A product containing anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties is beneficial in abating thrush. Such an all natural product contains three botanical oils. The oils of peppermint, spearmint, and almond are scientifically formulated to kill the bacteria within the mouth that causes infections such as thrush. These oils have been formulated to kill twenty-two strains of bacteria and pathogens that live in the mouth. Each of the three oils has a specific job. Peppermint oils contain anti-bacterial properties that work at killing the bacteria that is within the mouth. Almond oils work as an anti-inflammatory agent and also lubricates the mouth. Spearmint oils have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well. All of these oils work together to kill the bacteria that is within the mouth and aid in the treatment and prevention of many oral health problems including thrush.