Sometimes babies have a white coating on the tongue, the causes of which are unknown to young parents. It turns out that white plaque in the mouth of an infant is a sign of the appearance of candidiasis - a fungal infection, which is the most common disease of newborns.
Candidiasis is usually expressed in the appearance in the oral cavity on the mucous membrane, for example, in the sky, the inner surface of the cheeks, on the gums, at the root of the tongue, white films resembling dairy. Sometimes young parents try to remove sticky films with gauze, but it is usually impossible to remove them. At first, the infection does not cause trouble for the baby, as his temperature does not rise, he does not feel any discomfort. But, it would seem, at first harmless disease can lead to complications. Plaque gradually becomes more dense, changes its color to yellow or gray. Over time, the child becomes more moody and loses his appetite.
Candidomycotic stomatitis, or thrush, as a result of the disease of which there is a white coating in the mouth in infants, has the following symptoms:
- inflammation of the inner surfaces of the cheeks, palate and gums,
- a white coating in the language, the reasons for which we have already explained,
- the redness that appears after you have removed the plaque,
- unreasonable refusal of the child from the mother’s breast,
- changes in the behavior of the baby - anxiety and moods.
- the appearance of a white coating resembling a curd mass.
If a baby develops a white coating on the tongue during thrush, the causes of this disease can be very diverse:
- the child may become infected from the mother during childbirth if she has not been cured or treated for urogenital candidiasis during pregnancy,
- weak immunity, since the baby’s immune system in the first months of life has not yet been strengthened and even a small cold can become the cause of thrush,
- if the baby often burps, because the acidic environment is the best place for the reproduction of the fungus,
- treatment of the baby with antibiotics,
- teething in a child’s teeth ,
- if the parents do not follow the rules of hygiene, infection can occur through dirty objects.
What to do if in a child’s mouth you find a white coating on the tongue, the reasons for which you know are thrush?
Antifungal creams and ointments are usually used to combat this disease. But you need to use only those drugs that the doctor has prescribed for your child. The course of treatment usually takes about ten days. Most often, Candide solution and nystatin drops are used for therapy. The baby's mouth is processed several times during the day with a cotton swab.
A solution of drinking soda is one of the most proven folk methods for treating thrush. For one glass of boiled water, pre-cooled to room temperature, add a teaspoon of soda. Wet a cotton swab in this solution and treat the mouth of the baby. The procedure should be repeated every two hours. Some children do not want to open their mouths, so you can put a thumb on the chin of a child. Periodically, a dummy can be dipped in a solution of drinking soda and given to the baby. According to a prescription of traditional medicine, it is proposed to dilute with water a teaspoon of honey in a ratio of 1x1 and heat the mixture in a water bath. Then wrap a finger in a bandage and wipe the baby's mouth with this solution. But since honey is a strong allergen, this procedure should be done with caution.
Prevention of thrush in infants is quite simple. After feeding, give the baby each time a teaspoon of boiled water. This, firstly, in the oral cavity neutralizes the acidic environment, and secondly, it helps to wash away the remnants of food. When breastfeeding, always wash your nipples with soda. And with artificial feeding, be sure to sterilize bottles, nipples and soothers.