Oral thrush is treated with antifungal medication, but you can also ease uncomfortable symptoms with home remedies such as salt water, yogurt, clove oil, apple cider vinegar, and more.
Oral thrush, also called oral candidiasis, is a yeast infection of the mouth. It happens when there’s a buildup of the Candida albicans fungus in the lining of the mouth.
Oral thrush may occur in adults or children.
If you have oral thrush, you’ll need antifungal medication to clear the yeast. But you may also be able to help manage bothersome symptoms with home remedies.
Read on to learn how you can help treat the symptoms of this condition at home.
It’s important to treat oral thrush as soon as possible to contain the infection. Doctors often prescribe antifungal medications in the form of mouthwashes, pills, or lozenges.
Mild cases of oral thrush may go away on their own.
The following home remedies, used in addition to antifungal medications, may help relieve symptoms of the infection.
1. Salt water
Salt has antiseptic, cleansing, and soothing properties. This makes it a common home remedy for many oral problems.
Rinsing your mouth with salt water could help relieve symptoms of oral thrush and
To use:
- Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water.
- Swish the solution throughout your mouth.
- Spit out the salt solution.
2. Baking soda
Rinsing your mouth with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) may help treat oral thrush.
This 2021 research — focused on the use of sodium bicarbonate to treat the yeast that causes vaginal infections — noted that it does help treat that Candida albicans fungus, which leads not only to vaginal infections but also to oral thrush. It compliments older research that looked at the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate as a disinfectant of Candida albicans, and concluded that baking soda was a “viable alternative.”
To use:
- Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup warm water.
- Swish the rinse throughout your mouth.
- Spit out the rinse.
3. Yogurt
Probiotic yogurt contains live, “good” bacteria cultures that
The cultures don’t kill Candida. Instead, they stop its growth. They may also help restore the proper balance of good to bad bacteria in the mouth.
Since it’s soft, yogurt is also a great food to eat if you’re having trouble swallowing due to painful mouth and throat lesions.
To use:
- Eat yogurt a couple times daily at the first sign of oral thrush.
- Choose unsweetened varieties of yogurt since Candida thrives on sugar.
- If you don’t like yogurt, you can get the same benefits by taking a daily probiotic supplement.
4. Lemon juice
Lemon juice is thought to have antiseptic and antifungal abilities that help it fight against the fungus that causes thrush.
Lemon juice was found to be an effective treatment for oral thrush.
To use:
- Add the juice of half a lemon to 1 cup warm or cool water.
- Drink the mixture, or use as a mouth rinse.
Some people apply lemon juice directly to thrush lesions, but the lemon’s acidity may cause burning and irritation.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric gets its vibrant yellow color from curcumin, which is a powerful compound thought to have anti-inflammatory abilities.
Research points out how curcumin may treat oral thrush because of its antifungal poperties. This is particularly true when combined piperine, a compound found in black pepper that
To use:
- Make “golden milk” by combining 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon turmeric paste (store-bought or homemade) with a dash of black pepper and 1 cup filtered water or milk of your choice.
- Heat in a saucepan until warm.
- Swish the mixture throughout your mouth as you drink it.
6. Clove oil
People have used clove oil as a folk remedy for oral problems for centuries. It’s still used in dentistry today as an antiseptic and pain reliever.
The main compound in clove oil (eugenol) is just as effective in treating oral thrush as the antifungal drug nystatin (Mycostatin). More research on humans is still needed, but it may work as a beneficial addition to treatment.
To use:
Take clove oil as a dietary supplement as directed by the manufacturer or your doctor. You can also make a clove mouth rinse:
- Steep 1 teaspoon whole ground cloves in 1 cup boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
- Strain the solution, keeping the liquid.
- Swish the liquid around your mouth.
- Spit out the solution.
Cloves may causean allergic reaction or numbing effect in the mouth in some people.
7. Oregano oil
Oregano oil is used to flavor foods, but it also has antimicrobial and antifungal abilities.
Research has found oregano oil to be effective against Candida albicans, although more research is needed.
To use:
- Combine 2 drops oregano oil with 1 cup water.
- Swish the mixture throughout your mouth.
- Spit out the solution.
Never use undiluted oregano oil orally or topically.
8. Apple cider vinegar
People with dentures have a higher risk of oral thrush. Dentures that don’t fit properly or that aren’t cleaned well provide the ideal environment for Candida to thrive. This may cause a condition similar to thrush called denture stomatitis.
According to
To use:
- Add 1 teaspoon raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to 1 cup water.
- Swish the rinse throughout your mouth for at least 15 seconds.
- Spit out the mixture.
If you rinse with undiluted apple cider vinegar, be aware that this may cause a painful burning sensation in your mouth.
9. Vitamin C
Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid) is necessary for proper immune system function. It does this by encouraging white blood cell production, which helps protect your body against infection.
It also helps these cells function more effectively and protects them against harmful molecules.
A healthy immune system helps bring balance back to your body. Increasing your intake of vitamin C if you’re deficient may help boost your body’s immune system to fight the infection.
Oral thrush almost always causes
Common symptoms are:
- white lesions that look like cottage cheese on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils, and roof of your mouth
- mouth redness or soreness
- bleeding in your mouth
- loss of taste
- feeling like your mouth is full of cotton
- difficulty eating and swallowing if lesions spread to your throat or esophagus
For most people, oral thrush isn’t a serious problem.
But it may spread and
Contact your healthcare team right away at the first symptoms of oral thrush, to determine if you have an underlying health issue or compromised immune system.
Other conditions mimic oral thrush, such as oral hairy leukoplakia and lichen planus. Make sure to consult your healthcare team for a proper diagnosis before self-treating with any home remedies.
Many home remedies aren’t appropriate for infants and children. Talk with your pediatrician before using.
Home remedies for oral thrush may help relieve symptoms, but they won’t cure the yeast infection.
Home remedies are meant to support, not replace, antifungal medications that treat oral thrush. You may still need an antifungal to get rid of the Candida fungus entirely.
Once you’ve eliminated oral thrush, you can reduce your risk of getting it again by brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, and taking other prevention steps such as replacing your toothbrush.