How to Cure Mouth Yeast

Mouth yeast, also known as candidiasis or thrush, is a yeast infection causing white patches across the mouth and the tongue. The yeast, known as Candida, can occur in any patient at any age. It is most common in young children and babies, in people who have compromised immune systems and in people taking antibiotics or corticosteroids. Usually a doctor can determine if you have thrush simply by looking at your mouth, but he may want to take a culture to make sure.

Things You'll Need

• Antifungal mouth rinse or lozenges
• Oral antifungal medication
• Topical antifungal medication
• Listerine mouthwash
• Acidophilus
• Yogurt
• Baking soda

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Instructions

• 1

  Use an antifungal mouth rinse. Your doctor can give you a prescription for amphotericin, nystatin or miconazole, which are antifungal mouth rinses. Using the dropper that comes with the prescription, apply the medication directly to the afflicted areas, but do not touch the dropper directly to the mouth.

• 2

  Take an oral medication. If you do not respond to the antifungal mouth rinses, you may have a more severe case of mouth yeast. In these cases, your doctor will prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole or itraconazole. Take the tablets exactly as directed on the prescription label with a full glass of water.

• 3

  Consider home remedies. Home remedies for mouth yeast include taking acidophilus supplements daily and rubbing baking soda on the afflicted areas. Eat plain yogurt and swish it around in your mouth before swallowing.

• 4

  Practice good dental hygiene. To cure mouth yeast faster and to help keep it from returning, brush your teeth twice a day and rinse carefully. Swish your mouth out with water after taking antibiotics or corticosteriods.

• 5

  For persistent mouth yeast, take daily precautions. If you have diabetes or HIV, you may be prone to mouth yeast infections, but can help get rid of them and keep them at bay by swishing your mouth out with Listerine three times a day. If you still have persistent mouth yeast, your doctor can prescribe a long-term oral antifungal medication.