Oral thrush in babies and kids: Symptoms and treatment
About one in four people regularly develop oral thrush, painful sores in the oral cavity. Unfortunately, they do not avoid even young children. Why does oral thrush occur and what treatment options for kids are available?
Mouth ulcer in children
If you are parents, you should get acquainted with the common symptoms of oral thrush in babies. Mouth ulcers, also known by the technical name aphthous stomatitis, are manifested by small boils with a whitish center and a reddened rim. They can appear on the inside of the lips and cheeks, on the soft palate and on the tongue.
The good news is that oral thrush is not dangerous in children nor adults. However, because they are very painful, children often refuse to eat and drink because of them. Lack of fluids can then lead to dangerous dehydration. Unfortunately, mouth ulcers often occur repeatedly in children.
What are the causes of baby mouth ulcers?
Are you wondering what causes mouth ulcers? Experts still disagree on the exact reasons. However, research suggests that minor injuries in the mouth, which can be caused by braces or unsuitable toothbrushes, as well as vitamin deficiencies, may be responsible for the formation of oral thrush. Food allergies, improper diet or irritants can also be to blame. Mouth ulcers can also occur due to weakened immunity. Babies who are teething are more susceptible to oral thrush.
What should be avoided to prevent oral thrush in babies?
If ulcer in a child's mouth occurs repeatedly, maintain good oral hygiene. Wash your child's hands frequently and don’t forget to wash everything they put in their mouths, especially toys, cups or pacifiers.
For older children, using toothbrushes that have soft bristles is also a preventive measure against painful mouth sores. Make sure that children do not press too hard on the toothbrush when brushing their teeth. A varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a good selection of oral hygiene products are also important preventive measures.
How to relieve children's pain?
If children develop oral thrush, treat it as soon as possible and follow a few guidelines. Give children liquid and blended foods, but avoid sour and irritating ingredients, as well as coarse foods that can irritate the oral cavity. You should also focus on providing your kid with enough vitamins and minerals, especially B vitamins, iron and zinc.
Appropriate treatment of mouth ulcer in kids
The treatment of mouth ulcer focuses mainly on relieving pain and speeding up healing. Symptoms are relieved by numbing ointments or gels, antibacterial mouthwashes, and herbal anti-inflammatory agents, such as chamomile.
When treating oral thrush in babies or newborns, it is advisable to consult your doctor about the right product. You should also contact your doctor if your child has recurrent mouth ulcer. Of course, as with other problems, it is advisable to start treating oral thrush as soon as possible.
TIP: Kamistad Baby Gel
Kamistad Baby Gel, a massage gel for teething gums in children containing chamomile, can effectively help relieve the pain. The gel soothes sore gums, brings relief to children and is pleasantly cooling. It contains no alcohol nor sugar and has a delicious honey flavour.
Focus on adequate fluid and food intake
As we mentioned above, some children refuse to eat and drink because of mouth ulcer. However, it is very important that the child eats at least some food and drinks enough during the day. For example, cool herbal teas with chamomile are a good choice. Food should also be rather cool and soft, such as mashed banana or chilled porridge.
Prevent oral thrush & protect baby
Thorough oral hygiene is usually sufficient to prevent oral thrush. Food residues or plaque can promote the development of oral thrush.
Thrush in babies cannot always be prevented. Nevertheless, you can try to prevent thrush. This will protect your baby and prevent time-consuming treatment. To prevent oral thrush, you should take these tips to heart:
Clean your nipples regularly
Use disposable nursing pads
Dry your nipples properly after breastfeeding
Clean your baby's pacifier and bottle thoroughly
Do not put the pacifier in your mouth yourself
Consult a doctor promptly if you suspect oral fungus
How long does it take for oral thrush in children to heal?
Usually, the treatment of oral thrush takes seven to fourteen days. In some cases, especially if the sores are larger, the symptoms may persist for several weeks.
If mouth ulcers do not heal for more than two weeks or get worse, see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if mouth ulcers in children are accompanied by fever, weight loss or sores on the buttocks and on the lips, and if the pain is too severe and the child has difficulty swallowing.
More interesting articles
In the case of poorly fitting dentures, pressure points quickly cause discomfort. What can provide relief with this local inflammation in the mouth, read here.
Aphthae are small aching ulcers in the mouth. They can usually be treated easily and heal within a few days.
Our digestive system begins with the oral cavity. Learn about the anatomy of the oral cavity, as well as its functions and diseases.