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Mouth Rinse for Thrush in Children

Oral thrush occurs when Candida albicans, a fungus, accumulates along the lining of the mouth. This can occur in both adults and children. It often occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene and appears as white lesions that are usually painful.

  1. Mouth Rinse as a Cause

    • Bacteria-killing mouthwash, such as Listerine and Scope, can sometimes play a part in causing oral thrush if it is used too frequently, as it kills good bacteria along with the bad.

    Home Remedy

    • Children with cases of oral thrush that aren't especially serious can be treated with a homemade mouth rinse that is swished around in the mouth and then spat out. It is made up of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.

    Corsodyl Mouthwash

    • Corsodyl mouthwash, which is usually mint-flavored, has been known to be effective in treating oral thrush in children. It is only available through a dentist's prescription.

    Infants

    • Babies are especially prone to oral thrush, but should not be given mouth rinse to treat the condition due to the likelihood of swallowing. Instead, they should be treated with an antifungal, such as Nystatin or Diflucan, both of which require a prescription.

    Supervision

    • Children should always be under the careful supervision of an adult before using any kind of mouthwash, and should first watch the adult demonstrate the proper use of the rinse.

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