Treatment Approaches for Pediatric Oral Thrush

It manifests as yellow or white velvety patches on the inner cheeks or tongue that look like cottage cheese-like spots. In some children, the patches are painful and bleed. Some babies have no pain, while others refuse to eat and are fussy. Although thrush is usually not severe, without proper treatment, it can enter the bloodstream and spread to the eyes, brain, heart, and other body parts.

Doctors recommend home remedies or prescribe medications. When treatment begins, thrush normally goes away within two weeks. In some cases, it returns. Infants may experience several episodes in the first year. Seek medical attention if a child three months or younger develops a fever of 100.4°F.

What Is Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush is a condition of the mouth’s lining. It is a normal occurrence that sometimes overgrows and causes symptoms. Usually, creamy white lesions appear on the inner cheeks or tongue. Sometimes, it spreads to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, or the back of the throat.

Oral thrush is common in toddlers and infants, but older children are also susceptible to it because it is contagious. It occurs in babies because of their reduced immunity. Approximately one in seven babies develop a case of oral thrush. It is most common among babies less than ten weeks old.

Poor hygiene is not usually the cause, nor does it typically mean the baby is ill in some other way. The overgrowth happens because a baby’s immature immune system cannot control Candida levels. If the baby has reoccurring episodes, mainly if they are older than nine months, talk to a healthcare professional to determine if the reoccurrence indicates another health issue.

Causes of Oral Thrush in Children

Usually, the immune system repels harmful organisms invading the system, like fungi, bacteria, and viruses, while maintaining a balance between ‘bad’ and ‘good’ microbes that inhabit the body. Sometimes, the protective mechanisms fail, which increases the Candida fungus and allows an oral thrush infection to develop.

Several factors, like a weakened immune system, increase the risk of oral thrush. Other causes include taking antibiotics, inhaled corticosteroids for asthma, and using a pacifier often. A child with a meager birth weight is more at risk for thrush. Passing through the birth canal of a mother with a yeast infection is another possible cause.

There is little research on the benefits of specific oral hygiene measures in preventing thrush. Care for the gums, teeth, and mouth lining is of general importance. Maintenance includes

• Using a soft toothbrush
• Cleaning the spaces between the teeth
• Going to a pediatric dentist in Richmond, such as Luna Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond Texas

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

Symptoms and signs of oral thrush include

• A cottony feeling in the mouth
• Creamy white lesions on the inner cheeks, tongue, and sometimes on the tonsils and roof of the mouth
• Loss of taste
• Redness and cracking at the corners of the mouth
• Slightly raised lesions with an appearance similar to cottage cheese
• Slight bleeding of scraped or rubbed lesions
• Soreness, burning, or redness severe enough to cause difficulty swallowing or eating

The infection can pass between the baby’s mouth and the mother’s breast. Women with infected breasts experience

• Flaky or shiny skin around the areola
• Painful nipples between feedings or unusual pain while nursing
• Stabbing pain within the breast
• Unusually itchy, cracked, sensitive, or red nipples

Diagnosing Oral Thrush

If a child develops white lesions inside the mouth, see a dentist or doctor to determine if further evaluation is necessary to check for underlying medical conditions or other causes. Healthcare providers usually diagnose thrush visually by looking for distinct lesions on the cheeks, tongue, or mouth.

To diagnose oral thrush, a doctor of kids dentist in Houston Heights examines the mouth to look at the lesions. Lightly brushing the lesions reveals a tender, reddened area. They take a small sample, examine it under a microscope, or send it to a lab. A microscope exam confirms whether or not the child has thrush. If necessary, specific blood tests and a physical exam identify a possible underlying medical condition causing oral thrush.

Treatment Options

The goal of oral thrush treatment is to stop the fungus from spreading. Treatment approaches for pediatric oral thrush depend on the child’s age, health, and cause of the infection. Eliminating underlying causes prevents recurrence. A doctor typically recommends antifungal medication for healthy children in lozenges, tablets, or liquid form that the child swishes in their mouth and then swallows.

If topical medications are ineffective, the pediatric dentist in Richmond prescribes a drug that works throughout the body. When a nursing child develops oral thrush, a mild antifungal medication for the baby and an antifungal cream for the mother’s breasts are typical options.

Antifungal Medications

Antifungals change the cell walls of fungi, which prevents them from growing or causes them to die. The prescribed medication depends on how severe the infection is.

Treatment for Mild Cases

A topical antifungal is typical for mild cases of oral thrush. When taken orally, it delivers medication only to the mouth. It has fewer side effects and drug reactions than medication the body absorbs. Antifungals prescribed for mild cases of oral thrush are miconazole, nystatin liquid suspension, and clotrimazole lozenges.

Moderate to Severe Cases

If topical medications fail to work or symptoms are more severe, healthcare providers prescribe oral medication. Fluconazole is the first-choice oral option. It is available in a liquid suspension and tablets. Alternative options are itraconazole and posaconazole if fluconazole is ineffective or the child has a bad reaction to it.

Home Remedies

Natural treatment approaches for pediatric oral thrush include gentle hygiene and saltwater rinses. Salt has antiseptic properties, which make it excellent for dealing with oral health problems. To relieve oral thrush symptoms

• Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of water
• Swish and gargle for approximately 20 seconds
• Spit it out and repeat two or three times per day

Dietary Adjustments

Some foods potentially increase Candida. Suggested dietary adjustments to alleviate the symptoms of thrush infections include

• Certain dairy products, such as plain or organic kefir yogurt, ghee, and butter
• Condiments like sauerkraut, coconut aminos, and apple cider vinegar
• Gluten-free grains
• Healthy fats
• Herbs and spices, such as thyme, turmeric, paprika, rosemary, oregano, ginger, garlic, dill, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper
• High-quality proteins
• Low-sugar fruits
• Non-caffeinated beverages
• Non-starchy vegetables
• No-sugar sweeteners
• Nuts and seeds low in mold

Preventing Oral Thrush

Behaviors recommended to prevent oral thrush include practicing good oral hygiene, which consists of a professional dental cleaning every six months. Drinking water keeps the child hydrated, prevents the mouth from becoming dry, and limits sugary foods that yeast feeds upon.

Probiotics are a home remedy for maintaining oral flora balance. They are live yeasts and bacteria that have beneficial effects on the body. These species live in the body with other microbes. Supplements add to the existing supply of friendly microbes. They boost the immunity against infections and help fight off less friendly microbes.

When to Seek Further Help

In rare cases, Candida enters the bloodstream and other body parts, including the heart and brain. With treatment, thrush typically goes away within a week or two. If symptoms linger or get worse, contact your healthcare provider. Schedule an appointment with Luna Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond Texas of the child develops raised white areas, bleeding, or soreness. If symptoms return after taking antifungals, call the doctor immediately. A more severe infection is possible. Prompt treatment is essential to getting back on track and feeling better.

Conclusion

Oral thrush is a fungal infection. Babies are most susceptible to it because of their immature immune system, but anyone can develop it. Behavioral and physical signs include trouble eating or swallowing, irritability, and lesions on the inner cheeks and tongue.

Medical treatments and home remedies help treat oral thrush. Proactive pediatric dental care, like that provided by a kids dentist in Houston Heights, is a preventative solution. The healthcare provider asks about the child’s health history and symptoms, gives the child a physical exam, and prescribes appropriate treatment.