|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

Fungus in the Corners of the Mouth Remedies

Oral thrush (also called candidiasis)---one of the most common fungal infections occurring in the mouth---appears as white specks along the mouth's lining. In advanced cases, the fungus may create mouth sores. An increase in the yeast levels in the body usually accompanies an outbreak of oral fungus. From preventive methods to medication to home remedies, you have a choice of treatment options.

  1. Oral Hygiene

    • Practice proper dental hygiene to help prevent outbreaks of mouth fungus. Visit your dentist at least once every 12 months. Regular visits may allow your dentist to catch symptoms sooner, reducing the severity of an outbreak.

      Oral fungus often affects people who wear dentures, and many dentists may recommend using an antifungal medication on the dentures as part of your daily oral hygiene in order to kill any accumulated yeast buildup. The type of antifungal used, the amount necessary and the duration of the treatment vary on an individual basis.

    Antifungals

    • Use antifungal medications to help control the level of yeast causing the fungus to grow in your mouth. The type of antifungal a doctor or a dentist may prescribe depends on your medical history as well as the severity of the infection. Commonly prescribed medications include Nystain, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Chlorhexidine, Amphotericin B and Clotrimazole.

      The method you use to administer the antifungal medication depends on the type your medical provider prescribed. Some antifungals work as a coating for your mouth to soothe pain while treating the condition. Others work as cleaning agents to remove yeast from dentures, teeth and other areas in your mouth such as the corners. For more information on specific antifungal medication, visit the website for the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), which provides a database on antifungal medications.

    Home Remedies

    • If you begin to see fungus in the corners of your mouth, or if your condition has not progressed to an advanced case, try treating the infection with home remedies. Many vitamin and natural product stores carry rinses and solutions designed to treat oral thrush and candidiasis. The Mayo Clinic recommends rinsing your mouth with a saltwater solution composed of 1/2 tsp. of salt dissolved in 1 cup of water. Grandma's Home Remedies provides basic recipes combining herbs that may help treat the condition.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles