After your little one drinks milk, there are white patches on his tongue that persist and don't go away? Mothers need to be careful, it could be a white tongue in this baby caused by a fungal infection. To find out the cause and how to deal with it, see the following explanation.
It's normal when your baby feeds, white patches are left on his tongue. But if the spot doesn't go away after several times you wipe it with your finger or gauze, it's most likely a fungal infection of the tongue or tongue. oral thrush.
In addition to the tongue, white patches due to infection can also appear on the roof of the mouth, the inner sides of the cheeks, and the gums. In certain cases, this condition causes pain in the mouth, thus preventing the baby from breastfeeding.
Causes of White Tongue in Babies
White tongue in babies is the result of increased growth of a fungus called Candida albicans. This fungus basically does live in the mouth and is harmless. But when the number increases, Candida albicans can cause infection.
The increased growth of the fungus can occur due to:
Baby's immune system is still weak
The baby's immune system is not fully developed, making it easy for the fungus that causes white tongue to multiply uncontrollably. Apart from fungal infections, babies are also susceptible to infections and irritations in their digestive tract. It can also cause the tongue to appear whitish.
Poor oral hygiene for babies
The baby's oral cavity and tongue that are rarely cleaned can become a place for germs to grow. Dirty mouth conditions can not only cause fungal infections, but also bacterial infections in the oral cavity and gums. Therefore, clean your little one's mouth and gums regularly, Mother.
Giving medicine to babies
The mouth has good bacteria that can control the number of germs that cause infection, including fungi Candida the cause of this white tongue. When babies take antibiotics or corticosteroids for some reason, the good bacteria can die due to the drug content.
Please note that this yeast infection on the baby's tongue can transfer to the mother's nipple while the baby is breastfeeding. If infected with fungus Candida, Mothers will experience several symptoms, including itchy and scaly nipples, and pain in the breasts when breastfeeding.
A white baby's tongue is generally not a symptom of a serious illness, and usually goes away within a few days. This condition does not actually interfere with the health of the Little One directly. However, if there is a sore in the mouth, the baby is usually fussy and does not want to suckle.
How to overcomeWhite Tongue in Babies
As previously explained, a mild white tongue that doesn't bother your little one usually gets better on its own in a few days.
Even so, Mother should not take it lightly. You should immediately consult a doctor if this complaint is accompanied by fever, causes the tongue or mouth to bleed, or is weak and dehydrated due to not wanting to breastfeed.
To treat white tongue in babies, doctors will usually prescribe antifungal drugs, namely:
Ointment miconazole
How to use this drug is quite easy. Mom just needs to smear the gel miconazole in the infected area of the baby's mouth. Make sure you wash your hands before applying the medicine.
To avoid the risk of choking, apply a small amount at a time and avoid applying the medicine too close to your little one's throat. Always follow the doctor's instructions or the instructions for use listed on the drug packaging.
Drops nystatin
For medicinal use nystatinMother, it is enough to drip this medicine on the problem area using a special pipette/dropper provided on the package or given by a doctor.
Use the remedy for this yeast infection for up to two days after the spot disappears. If within one week the white tongue does not heal, you should return to the doctor for further examination.
It is important to always keep the baby's body clean, including oral hygiene. In addition to preventing a white tongue, maintaining cleanliness will also keep the baby away from various other diseases, especially infections.
Clean your baby's toys often, especially toys that he likes to put in his mouth, including pacifiers and milk bottles. Also, wash the clothes properly. If your baby is drinking breast milk, before and after breastfeeding, clean the nipple with water and dry it.