Does Salt Water Help Thrush in the Mouth? The Truth You Need to Know

So, you’ve got a sore, white patch in your mouth and you’re wondering if salt water could help with that thrush? Trust me, I’ve been there! Honestly, it’s super frustrating, but I’ve learned quite a bit about it. Salt water might seem like an old-school remedy, but is it really effective for treating mouth thrush? Let's dive into that question and see what the experts (and my personal experience) say.

What is Oral Thrush and Why Does it Happen?

Before we get into salt water solutions, let's talk about thrush for a sec. If you've never had it before, you’re lucky, because thrush in the mouth is no fun. It’s a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast. It often shows up as white patches on the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, or the roof of your mouth.

I remember the first time I had it, I thought I had some kind of weird food allergy or something. The truth? Stress, antibiotics, or a weakened immune system can trigger it. So, if you’ve been under the weather or taking medication lately, you might be more prone to it.

Does Salt Water Actually Help Thrush?

Alright, so here’s where the salt water thing comes in. I had a friend (let’s call him Dave) who swore by salt water rinses for nearly everything—sore throat, canker sores, and yep, thrush. I wasn’t so sure at first. Honestly, how could something so simple help with a fungal infection, right?

But here’s what I’ve discovered: Salt water has mild antiseptic properties. When you rinse your mouth with salt water, it can help to reduce swelling and irritation, which is great if your mouth is feeling sore from the thrush. While it won’t cure the infection itself, it can provide some much-needed relief from the pain. It also helps keep the area clean by flushing out food particles and bacteria.

How to Use Salt Water for Mouth Thrush

If you decide to try salt water, here's the deal: Mix about a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds, making sure it reaches all the affected areas, then spit it out. It’s super simple. You can do this a couple of times a day, but don’t overdo it—too much salt can dry out your mouth, which you definitely don’t want.

I tried it myself, and while it didn’t make the thrush go away overnight, it did make my mouth feel more comfortable, which was a huge relief.

When Should You See a Doctor About Thrush?

Okay, here’s the thing: Salt water is not a cure-all. If your thrush persists for more than a couple of weeks, or if it’s really painful, you need to see a doctor. Thrush can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, like diabetes or a compromised immune system. I learned this the hard way when my friend Sarah’s thrush didn’t improve even after trying all sorts of home remedies, including salt water. Turns out, she had some health issues that needed professional attention.

So, while salt water is a helpful, soothing option in the short term, don’t rely on it if things aren’t getting better.

Other Remedies to Consider for Thrush

While salt water can help with the discomfort, you might want to explore other remedies that tackle the infection directly. Over-the-counter antifungal medications are often the best bet for treating oral thrush. But if you want to stick with natural remedies, some people find that coconut oil (which has antifungal properties) or probiotics can be helpful.

I’ve also heard mixed reviews about hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse, so I personally stayed away from that one—seems a little harsh, but hey, some swear by it!

Final Thoughts: Does Salt Water Help Thrush?

So, does salt water help with thrush in the mouth? Yes, it can. But it’s more about soothing the symptoms than actually curing the infection. It’s worth trying if you need a bit of relief, but don’t expect it to be a miracle cure. If you’re dealing with recurring or severe thrush, seeing a doctor or dentist is the best way to go.

I know it’s frustrating to deal with oral thrush (I’ve been there), but hang in there, and try a few different approaches to see what works for you. And don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you need it—your mouth will thank you!

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.