Moldy baby's mouth, how to deal with it?

What is oral thrush?

Oral thrush is a condition when the fungus infects the inside of the mouth and tongue. Oral thrush also called oral candidiasis or oropharyngeal candidiasis.

The fungus that causes infection in the oral cavity is a fungus Candida albicans . Actually, this type of fungus does grow naturally in the mouth, but in small amounts so that it doesn't cause any disturbance.

However, when the fungus starts to grow out of control, the infection will appear in the mouth. Condition oral thrush This most often affects infants and toddlers, but does not rule out also occurs in adults.

Moldy baby's mouth does not only appear on the tongue, but can spread to other parts of the oral cavity, such as the inner cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, to the throat.

What is the condition of a baby's mouth with mold?

At first, a yeast infection in the mouth does not cause symptoms or give any signs, so many people do not realize its presence.

Quoted through the Mayo Clinic, over time the characteristics of a yeast infection in the mouth will begin to appear, which are generally characterized by signs and symptoms, including:

White or yellowish patches that spread to parts of the oral cavity, such as the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, tonsils, and throat.
The white patches appear slightly thickened or like a lump.
Pain and discomfort in the mouth, resulting in difficulty swallowing.
There is a little bleeding if the wound is rubbed against.
Cracking and redness at the edge of the mouth.

In addition to the signs and symptoms above, this condition will usually make your little one fussy, irritable, and refuse to breastfeed. Mothers should also pay attention to this condition in babies, because fungal infections can also be transmitted during the breastfeeding process.

If the yeast infection is contagious on the mother's breast, some of the symptoms that may arise include:

Itching, sensitivity, pain in the white area on both breasts
Peeling or shiny skin around the nipple area (areola)
Severe pain during breastfeeding
Sharp pain, such as damaging the breast

What are the causes of mold in the baby's mouth?

White tongue in babies does not always come from a yeast infection. This is normal if the white spots come from the remaining milk that sticks to the tongue and are easy to clean.

However, if the white patches in the baby's mouth spread to several parts of the oral cavity, you need to be aware of the yeast infection in the baby's mouth.

There are several possibilities that can cause mold in the baby's mouth, including the following.

1. Weak immune system

Oral thrush more common in people who have a weak immune system or immune system, including infants. Especially in premature babies who have immune systems that are not as strong as babies in general.

A weak and underdeveloped immune system can lead to uncontrolled yeast growth in the mouth and white patches on the tongue.

2. Effects of drugs

The use of certain drugs in infants, such as antibiotics and corticosteroid drugs, can kill good bacteria in the oral cavity which function to prevent fungal growth. Candida causes white tongue.

3. Baby's oral hygiene

Maintaining the baby's oral hygiene needs to be done from an early age. Leftover milk in the oral cavity that is not cleaned can trigger the development of fungus in the mouth. Therefore, it is important to clean the mouth after breastfeeding regularly to prevent moldy baby's mouth.

4. Vaginal yeast infection

Vaginal yeast infection is common in pregnant women, especially in the second trimester of pregnancy. This infection is also caused by a fungus Candida albicans cause oral thrush . Quoted from the American Pregnancy Association, this condition can also be transmitted to the baby during the birth process if it is not handled properly beforehand.

How to get rid of fungus in the baby's mouth?

In mild conditions, white tongue in babies generally does not cause serious symptoms and will go away on its own in a few days.

However, if the condition of the white tongue and moldy mouth in the baby makes it fussy that it doesn't want to breastfeed, immediately go to the doctor to get proper treatment to speed up the recovery process.

Generally, doctors will treat yeast infections in the mouth with antifungal drugs that are available in the form of gels or drops.

1. Nystatin

Nystatin is an antifungal drug that is available in the form of drops which works to stop the growth of fungus in the oral cavity. Shake well before use, then use nystatin drops with a dropper (drug dropper) on the moldy part with the dosage according to the doctor's prescription.

2. Miconazole

Miconazole is an antifungal medication in the form of an ointment that works by stopping and preventing mold growth. Clean your hands before applying the medicine, then apply a thin layer on the moldy part.

Even though it is sold freely, still follow the directions on the package or first consult your doctor.

In addition to drugs to get rid of yeast in the baby's mouth, you can also prevent oral yeast infections in your little one by taking the following steps:

Keep clean and sterilize baby toys.
Sterilizes milk bottles and baby feeding equipment.
Wash your hands before and after doing baby care.
Keep the nipples clean after the baby has fed by rinse with water and pat dry.
Maintaining the cleanliness of the baby's mouth, namely by regularly cleaning the baby's tongue, caring for baby teeth at the age of 6 months, and other mouth parts to remove residual milk that causes oral yeast growth