Using honey for oral hygiene for children: Should or should not?

The article was professionally consulted with Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Thrush, also known as thrush, is a common childhood disease. Many parents often use honey to clean their children's teeth when they have thrush. This is a misconception because honey contains many toxins that are harmful to children.

Thrush, also known as thrush, is a common childhood disease. The disease is caused by a fungus scientifically known as candida albicans. In the oral mucosa, especially the upper surface of the tongue, white pseudo-white membranes appear. These pseudomembranous membranes grow quickly and penetrate deeply into the lining of the tongue and nasopharynx, are very difficult to peel off, and when peeled off, it will easily cause bleeding and burning pain for the child. Young children are susceptible to thrush due to low secretion of saliva and oral mucosa in an acidic environment, low pH, a fungal infection from the mother's genital tract during childbirth, or a weak immune system
When the baby has thrush. tongue, many parents often use honey to clean their children's teeth because they think that honey is safe and can be antibacterial. But this is a misconception. Honey should not be used to clean children's mouth because honey contains many botulinum toxins and contains spores. These toxins can poison the baby, causing neuromuscular effects and paralysis. Severe poisoning can even cause death. Children under one year of age (especially under 6 months) have a high risk of poisoning with this toxin, so honey should not be given to children and honey is not recommended for thrush.

To prevent thrush in children, mothers should feed their children hygienically, clean their children's eating utensils, clean the nipples of the milk bottles and the mother's breast regularly. Baby bottles need to be washed, rinsed with boiling water, and then mixed with breast milk. In addition, it is necessary to clean the child's oral cavity with physiological saline. When children have thrush, mothers should not use their fingers to pick white dots on the child's tongue because it will cause bleeding and can lead to infection. Should use gauze soaked in physiological saline to rub on the baby's tongue and oral cavity. Doctors often prescribe nystatin, an antifungal, to treat thrush in children. Here's how to stick your baby's tongue out with nystatin:
Wash your hands with soap, keep the baby in bed or hold the baby. Wrap a soft gauze pad around the tip of your index finger or wear a commercially available sterile tube gauze pad. Dip the swab in nystatin solution (if using nystatin sachets, mix 1 pack with 1 teaspoon of cooked water) to touch the tongue and in the mouth of the child. Gently touch the child's lower lip to open the mouth, gently put the index finger on the top of the tongue and wipe from the inside of the tongue pulling out, remove the gauze and repeat a second time if the child has a lot of thrush. Be careful not to let the plaque fall into the child's mouth, do not put your finger too deep into the child's throat because it may cause vomiting. Use another swab to wipe the inside of the cheeks, on the roof of the mouth and finally the gums. Children should be crowned 30 minutes before meals, use continuously until the thrush is completely gone, then continue for 2 more days. Thrush is very easy to recur, so after the symptoms are gone, the child must continue to rub the child's tongue with physiological saline at least every two days. After feeding, do not feed or feed the baby immediately, but should wait at least 20 minutes before feeding or eating.

In order to prevent diseases that young children often get, parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve children's resistance. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
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