How to prevent and cure candida in the mouth

Mouth Candida Cure: Natural Remedies to Reduce Oral Thrush

When it comes to protecting your oral health, Candida prevention should be at the top of your list. Candida is a type of yeast that can cause oral thrush if left unchecked. To prevent Candida growth, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene. Here are the natural remedies that you can use to reduce oral thrush. Before starting any treatments, talk to your doctor because everyone and everyone’s body is different.

• Oil pulling
  You can oil pull with extra-virgin coconut oil combined with a few drops of oil of oregano or peppermint/spearmint essential oils. Swish this mixture around in your mouth like you would do with mouthwash and then spit it out into the trash (do not swallow it and do not spit it into your sink).
  Try to do this at least two times each day, preferably in the morning and evening. Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, which is a powerful antifungal. When you combine the coconut oil with other antifungals (such as oil of oregano or garlic) you’ll be doubling up on anti-yeast agents to help kill off the yeast so that you have a better chance of getting rid of the candida.

• Brushing, flossing twice a day and scraping your tongue
  Using a non chemical toothpaste. Many mainstream brands of toothpaste contain harmful or even toxic ingredients that can harm your gums, your microbiome, your teeth and your health.

• Apple Cider Vinegar Oral Rinses
  Apple cider vinegar (ACV) may help to regulate the presence of Candida while restoring the natural pH level in the mouth. Since apple cider vinegar has a pretty strong taste, you might need to dilute it with water to sip throughout the day. It’s best to avoid trying to gulp it all down at once. Since a poor pH balance can often lead to halitosis (bad breath), an apple cider rinse may solve two problems at once.

• Take high quality probiotics
  Oral probiotics (or dental probiotics) are specific strains of bacteria known to support a healthy mouth and improve oral health. They encourage the growth of good bacteria and stop the growth of bad (pathogenic) bacteria.
  However, they’re not the same as gut probiotics — oral probiotics are most effective when delivered directly to the mouth via lozenges, chewable tablets, milk, or probiotic drinks. Oral probiotics in the form of swallowable tablets do not seem to be as effective. Some kinds of toothpaste contain oral probiotics.
  Oral microbiome probiotic strains considered most beneficial to oral health include:
  • Lactobacillus reuteri
  • Lactobacillus salivarius
  • Streptococcus salivarius K12
  • Streptococcus salivarius M18
  • Lactobacillus paracasei
  • Lactobacillus sakei

The best oral probiotics for oral thrush/candidiasis are:
– Lactobacillus spp.
– S. salivarius K12

A 2020 clinical trial found that 30 days of the oral probiotic S. salivarius K12 decreased oral thrush symptoms. It also improved inflammation of oral tissue caused by denture stomatitis, a bacterial overgrowth on dentures.

• Start an anti-candida diet
  It’s important to focus on high-quality organic green vegetables, coconut oil, raw nuts, raw seeds, organic chicken, eggs, and turkey because these are foods that will starve the yeast in your body.
  It is also highly recommended to avoid coffee, wine, vinegar, and sugar, along with anything that contains yeast. Some food can as well negatively affect your gut such as gluten, dairy, soy, fried foods, and processed foods.

What are the risk factors & causes of oral thrush

Thrush is a common name for an infection in your mouth caused by candida. It can affect your cheeks, tongue, lips, and palate, and is common in people who have a suppressed immune system. However, thrush can also develop in your mouth if you have a normally functioning immune system such as people with irritation from dentures or diabetes. Thrush shows up with curd-like white patches inside of the mouth.

• Poor oral hygiene: Failing to brush your teeth, floss, and otherwise manage the balance of your oral microbiome can allow fungal overgrowth.
• Being a baby: A baby’s mouth is more susceptible to oral thrush than older children, particularly if they use unsterilized pacifiers.
• Wearing dentures: Dentures require constant care. If you wear dentures that don’t fit properly, aren’t removed at night, and aren’t kept clean, this could cause Candida overgrowth.
• Excessive use of antibiotics: Antibiotics can kill harmless germs in the mouth, but they don’t kill Candida. This yeast can multiply faster when there are fewer commensal bacteria to fight against illness, which is why they’re linked with more frequent oral thrush. The same problem applies to excessively using an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Poor nutrition and a high sugar diet: Sugar is an easy source of food for Candida. Frequently eating high-carbohydrate and high-sugar foods can feed Candida and cause it to get out of control.
• Limited intake of vitamin B12, vitamin C, folate, or iron: All of these nutrients are effective for promoting a healthy digestive system. Without them, your internal balance can begin to falter, encouraging Candida’s development. Deficiencies are associated with higher rates of Candida infection, particularly in older adults.
• Exposure to steroid inhalers or tablets: Inhaled steroids, such as asthma inhalers, can promote growth of Candida yeast, making the problem worse over time.
• Dry mouth: Dry mouth can happen for many reasons, from mouth breathing to taking antidepressant medications, to having Sjogren’s syndrome or another medical condition that causes salivary deficiencies. Either way, a dry mouth makes you more predisposed to Candida overgrowth (and other bacterial overgrowth).
• Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes greatly increases your risk of oral candidiasis.
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Cancer: Not only does cancer weaken your body’s ability to fight infection, but cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy increase your risk of oral thrush.
• Immune System Conditions (HIV/AIDS and leukemia)
• Poor health or a weak immune system: Just like those with chronic illnesses, people with weak immune systems are far more likely to suffer from yeast, fungi, and parasitic infections.
• Smoking: Smoking creates an environment in the mouth that kills good bacteria but allows bad bacteria to thrive. This damages the natural balance needed to prevent Candida overgrowth.

Tips to prevent Candida overgrowth

When it comes to achieving optimal oral health, Candida can be a tricky and uncomfortable issue to deal with. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent candida overgowth

1. Prescription drugs
   Oral contraceptives, antibiotics, and steroids are a main cause of candida in many people. These kill the good bacteria in our bodies and the bad bacteria/yeast takes over. Speak with your doctor about other options that will allow you to replenish good bacteria in your gut and kill off bad bacteria and yeast.
2. Proper Nutrition
   It’s important to avoid eating foods high in refined carbohydrates and sugar as well as alcohol. Start by eliminating sugar because that’s what feeds yeast. Sugar is lurking in everything from candy, tea, desserts, alcohol, flours, and condiments. Reduce the amount of beans, grains, fruit, bread, pasta, and potatoes in your diet because these complex carbs also feed the yeast.
   The goal is to starve the yeast. By eating green vegetables, healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, nuts and seeds, as well as eggs, you can help eliminate yeast. High-quality proteins such as organic chicken, turkey, and wild salmon are also great sources of food that you can include in your lifestyle.
   Raw garlic and onions are great to add into your lifestyle. I recommend eliminating all fermented foods because the bad bacteria feed off of these foods as well. Eating too many fermented foods such as pickles, sauerkraut, and kombucha can also cause candida.
3. Oil Pulling
   Swishing organic coconut oil in your mouth every morning and evening is a great way to help remove bacteria that may be lingering in your mouth.It is important to speak with a medical professional before beginning any treatment regimen, as they can help to identify the best course of action for your particular case. With the right treatment and care, you can achieve optimal oral health and reduce your risk of Candida overgrowth.