Sores and thrush are common childhood ailments. This problem affects not only babies, but also their parents. Thrush occurs primarily in newborns and infants, and canker sores in slightly older children and adults. How to recognize them? How do you get rid of the discomfort and pain of mouth ulcers and thrush?
What is aphthous ulcer?
Afta is a small ulcer or erosion on the lining of the mouth. It can appear mainly on the palate, tongue, gums and even in the throat. Most often, however, it is located on the inside of the cheek. Its appearance is very distinctive. These are oval or round erosions covered with white bloom with clearly red edges.
Aphthas appear at nursery, preschool and school age. They annoy children with reduced immunity, and above all those who are simultaneously infected with a viral or bacterial infection. Another reason for their formation may be improper tooth hygiene, including brushing them too intensively, as well as using too chemical care products, including mouthwash with an excessively “aggressive” composition.
Symptoms accompanying the appearance of aphthae are:
- burning and pain making it difficult to eat and drink
- trouble sleeping,
- irritability,
- anxiety,
- swelling of the gums,
- fever (in some cases).
When are mouth ulcers a reason to make an appointment with a doctor? A pediatrician should be consulted immediately if the parent of the aphthae occupy a large area of the mouth and make feeding difficult. If natural methods of fighting canker sores do not bring results, there is no other option than pharmacological treatment, e.g. with antibiotics or steroids.
Natural remedies for canker sores
The fight against canker sores should begin with a change of diet. Improperly selected meals can significantly increase the discomfort and pain caused by the appearance of canker sores. You should not give your child citrus (including juices), as well as sweet and salty products. When ulcers appear in the mouth, the parent should give the baby warm dishes with a smooth texture. The child also has to drink a lot.
Usually, the canker sores disappear on their own after a few or several days. During this time, old, natural and proven methods can be used to relieve pain.
Effective methods for canker sores are:
- rinsing the mouth with warm water with the addition of table salt, herbal chamomile tea or sage,
- over-the-counter sprays and agents available at the pharmacy, eg Dentosept A MINI. Its composition not only moisturizes the mucosa, but also soothes irritations and accelerates the regeneration of the oral mucosa,
- vitamin B12.
What is thrush?
Thrush occurs primarily in young children, including newborns. They appear as creamy-white patches on the tongue, palate and the inside of the cheeks. They can be confused with leftovers from drinking milk. The cause of their formation is Candida yeast infection. The most common infection occurs by sucking on the nipple of a mother suffering from mycosis.
There is a greater risk of developing thrush in:
- premature babies,
- in children born by caesarean section,
- toddlers with low birth weight,
- teething babies,
- newborns and infants undergoing antibiotic therapy,
- children with impaired immunity.
The development of thrush is favored by the excessive pushing of hands and other objects into the mouth, as well as improper oral hygiene.
Thrush can take the form of single white spots or take on more diffuse shapes. The consequence of their formation may be pain while eating, which may translate into a decrease in the child’s appetite. In addition, a toddler may be grumpy, irritable, anxious and tearful.
Fighting thrush
Unlike canker sores, thrush won’t go away on its own. In their case, the use of appropriate preparations is a must. However, before a parent decides to visit a doctor and implement an antibiotic, it is worth trying a few natural and effective methods.
Helpful in fighting thrush is:
- brushing the mouth with an aqueous solution of vitamin C (yeasts do not tolerate an acidic environment),
- washing lesions with boiled water (using a sterile gauze pad),
- Scald all teats from which the baby drinks,
- using preparations available in pharmacies without a prescription. An example is Dentosept A MINI, which protects the oral mucosa and allows it to be kept clean.
In more difficult cases, it may be necessary to use an antibiotic such as nystatin. The preparation is applied to the child’s mouth several times a day until the thrush is completely eliminated.