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.
Does a white tongue mean you're sick? 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.
The most common cause of a white tongue is poor oral hygiene. Small bumps on the tongue called papillae can swell up and become inflamed in a mouth that is not cared for well. Plenty of germs, debris, food particles, and dead cells can get stuck between these papillae.
Iron deficiency anemia or pernicious anemia – A pale (almost white), smooth tongue can be caused by a deficiency in iron or vitamin B12.
You should see a dentist or primary care provider if you notice: A white tongue that doesn't improve with better brushing. A white patch on the tongue that doesn't improve within a few weeks. A white patch on the tongue that changes over time.
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.
White Tongue: A white tongue can be a sign of bacterial or debris buildup on the surface of the tongue. This can be caused by mild dehydration, smoking, dry mouth, or illness. A white film on the tongue could be a sign of oral thrush, which is a type of yeast infection.
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.
Often, you can treat a white tongue at home with good oral hygiene practices. However, if it doesn't go away within a week, causes so much pain it's hard to drink, eat, speak, or comes with other concerning symptoms like fever, call a dentist or your healthcare provider immediately.
While a white tongue often indicates thrush, it can be a sign of another condition. Several oral conditions have similar symptoms to thrush, causing them to sometimes be mistaken for thrush.
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.
If you're currently feeling anxious and overwhelmed by stress, you might experience these oral conditions: Canker sores. Dry mouth. Lichen planus (lacy white lines, red areas or mouth ulcers on the cheek, gums or tongue)
A pink tongue is healthy and normal. A red tongue may indicate heat in the body like a fever or a hormonal imbalance. A reddish purple tongue is a sign that there may be inflammation or an infection in the body. A pale pink tongue may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, a weak immune system or a lack of energy.
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.
Do you really need to clean your tongue using your toothbrush and toothpaste? You certainly do. Fluoride toothpaste can clean your tongue just as effectively as cleaning your teeth.
An unhealthy tongue. If your tongue is a different colour than pink, or has large patches of white, brown, black, or another colour, this might indicate a specific health issue. Similarly, if you have large bumps or no bumps at all, you may also want to speak to a doctor.
Stress can affect your body in numerous ways and increase your likelihood of developing a large array of conditions, and dry mouth is no exception. Stress and anxiety can affect the flow of your saliva and cause dry mouth, according to the Journal of Dental Research, Dental Clinics, Dental Prospects.
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.
Having a coated tongue usually means you have poor digestion or too many bad bugs/yeast in your bowel and/or a sluggish liver. It may also cause bad breath of which you may be unaware.
Listerine Total Care mouthwash
It is a daily mouthwash with clinically proven effectiveness. It is used in addition to brushing, it eliminates up to 99% of the bacteria of the dental plaque at the origin of the white tongue and acts in the places which the brush cannot reach.
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.