Not necessarily. Often, a white tongue means you should focus on your oral hygiene or overall health. For example, it may mean that you need to brush and floss more regularly and steer clear of tobacco and alcohol. Still, a white tongue may signal a yeast or bacterial infection.
Oral thrush, or oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection of the mouth. It's caused by an overgrowth of candida, a yeast that coats the tongue and other surfaces of the mouth. It looks like white or sometimes yellow patches.
White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.
Although the appearance of white tongue may be alarming, the condition is usually harmless and temporary. However, white tongue can be an indication of some serious conditions, ranging from infection to a precancerous condition.
White tongue occurs when an overgrowth of bacteria, debris, or dead cells results in the swelling of the papillae on your tongue. Some people are more suspectable to this issue than others. High-risk individuals include those with diabetes, weakened immune systems, older adults, and young children.
Rarer but sometimes serious conditions can lead to white patches on the tongue. Mouth or tongue cancer may cause a white tongue. Common causes of these types of cancer include chronic tobacco or alcohol use and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
When your tongue is so heavily coated that it results in the appearance of a white tongue, it's a warning sign that you're suffering from an overworked digestive system. If your digestive system is overburdened, it can't function properly. This leads to a buildup of a bacteria or yeast called candida.
When someone is dehydrated, the tongue appears dry and typically has a white or white-to-yellowish coating. In some cases, the tongue can appear patchy or splotchy. If your tongue commonly sticks to the roof of your mouth, you are dehydrated!
If there is a thick, white coating, you may have a condition called “Candidiasis,” which is an overgrowth of yeast in the body. If the coating is yellow, it could indicate major digestive stagnation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or liver/gallbladder disease.
Creamy white lesions on your tongue, inner cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums and tonsils. Slightly raised lesions with a cottage cheese-like appearance. Redness, burning or soreness that may be severe enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing.
A thick white coating on the back or at the center of the tongue may be a sign of an overloaded digestive system. This can be caused by an imbalance of good bacteria in the gut, nutritional deficiencies and stress.
Oral thrush can cause a white or yellow film to form on the tongue and can cause discomfort when eating and drinking. Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth, which can be a result of poor oral hygiene, a weakened immune system, or antibiotics.
Having a coated tongue usually means you have poor digestion or too many bad bugs/yeast in your bowel and/or a sluggish liver.
Rarely, yellow tongue may be a sign of jaundice, a yellowing of the eyes and skin, which sometimes indicates liver or gallbladder problems. Self-care is usually all that's needed to treat yellow tongue, unless it's related to another medical condition. Medical treatment for yellow tongue usually isn't necessary.
Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if: You're concerned about changes in your tongue. Your tongue hurts. Your white tongue persists for longer than a few weeks.
For example, a black and hairy looking tongue can signal poor oral hygiene, or diabetes. If your tongue is bright red like a strawberry, it could signal a deficiency in folic acid, vitamin B12, or iron. But, it could also mean you have strep throat, or a fever.
Drink plenty of water: Enough water helps keeping your tongue clean and gets rid of extra food particles. Eat crunchy fruits that cleanse the tongue naturally: Apples and guava are good examples of this. Eat raw vegetables: Raw vegetables, such as spinach, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers.
Eating foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt or kefir, can help to promote a healthy balance of bacteria in your mouth. Probiotics can help to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and prevent the buildup of white film on your tongue.
White tongue has several causes but usually goes away in a few weeks. See a healthcare provider if it lasts longer than that or if you have problems eating or talking.
The white coating is caused by debris, dead cells or bacteria which get stuck on the bumps of your tongue and results in the white coloring. Your tongue is the perfect home for anaerobes. These bacteria live in areas with very little to no oxygen, including the bowel.