Canker sores during pregnancy can be so painful that it makes it difficult for pregnant women to eat or talk. However, don't worry. There are several ways to deal with thrush during pregnancy that pregnant women can easily do at home.
Thrush during pregnancy is generally harmless and is caused by hormonal changes. Usually canker sores can heal by itself within 1-2 weeks. However, to relieve pain and speed up the healing process, there are many home treatment options that pregnant women can try.
Various Natural Ways to Overcome Thrush During Pregnancy
Here are a variety of safe and relatively easy ways to treat thrush during pregnancy:
1. Compress or gargle with chamomile tea
Content azulene and levomenol Chamomile tea has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect which is good for treating canker sores during pregnancy. To use it, pregnant women can drink chamomile tea or gargle with the herbal tea.
In addition, pregnant women can also compress canker sores with a wet chamomile tea bag for a few minutes. For maximum results, pregnant women can repeat the compress and gargle 3-4 times a day.
2. Gargle with salt water
Gargle-gargle using salt water can also be a way to deal with canker sores during pregnancy which is quite powerful,
The trick is to dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in half a glass of warm water (250ml), then use it to rinse your mouth for about 30 seconds and repeat every few hours.
3. Apply honey or coconut oil
Honey and coconut oil are known for their natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies have also proven that honey and coconut oil are effective in reducing the pain, size, and redness of canker sores.
Pregnant women can apply honey or coconut oil to the affected area at least 4 times a day until the canker sore is gone. If pregnant women prefer honey, you should choose pure honey that is not processed or filtered, so that the results can be optimal.
4. Compress with ice cubes
Pregnant women can also use ice cubes to reduce pain and inflammation caused by canker sores.
The trick is simply to compress the canker sores using ice cubes slowly and carefully. Don't let the ice you use actually hurt the inside of your mouth, okay?
In addition, pregnant women should not forget to regularly brush their teeth with a toothbrush with soft bristles, choose toothpaste and mouthwash that does not foam (does not contain sodium sulfate), and use flossing teeth every day.
How to prevent thrush from coming back
Canker sores might make pregnant women more lazy to eat because they feel pain when chewing. In fact, pregnant women need adequate nutrition to maintain endurance while supporting the development and growth of the fetus.
Here are some ways pregnant women can do to prevent thrush from coming back:
- Keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
- Be careful when chewing food.
- Drink lots of water.
- Consumption of healthy foods to ensure nutritional needs are met properly, such as yogurt, low-fat dairy, eggs, meat, fruits, and green vegetables.
- Avoid foods that can irritate the mouth, such as nuts, chips, salty foods, and acidic fruits.
- Manage stress well, for example with yoga or meditation, and get enough rest.
Although canker sores can heal on their own, pregnant women should immediately consult a doctor if the canker sores get bigger, don't heal for 2 weeks or more, spread to the lips, are accompanied by a high fever, or cause unbearable pain.
