Having a white tongue is fairly common among newborns. More often than not, the cause is milk residue, but it could also be a symptom of oral thrush. Newborns tend to have a buildup of milk on their tongue.
You must take care of your baby's tongue to avoid bacteria accumulation and other dental issues. You don't need a lot of equipment to clean a baby's tongue and gums, and it's a simple process. All you'll need is a washcloth or a piece of gauze, and warm water.
Milk will wipe off easily, leaving a healthy pink tongue underneath. Thrush, however, can result in white patches found on the tongue. It can look like cottage cheese or curdled milk, which is why it is sometimes hard to detect.
Thrush occurs when too much of a yeast called Candida albicans grows in a baby's mouth. Germs called bacteria and fungi naturally grow in our bodies. Our immune system helps keep these germs in check. But babies do not have fully-formed immune systems.
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 hygiene is of great importance for babies as the tongue is the main organ for suckling. Your baby's tongue should be cleaned on a regular basis to reduce the risk of fungus, bacteria, or other germs. Newborn babies are also at higher risk of oral thrush because their immune system is not completely developed.
Is oral thrush painful for babies? Oral thrush can give some babies a sore mouth and make it painful or uncomfortable to feed, but many babies don't feel anything.
Baby teeth (also called milk teeth) hold the spaces open for permanent teeth to come in. Although most babies do not start developing teeth until they are 6 months old, it is recommended to begin cleaning the baby's mouth as a newborn, even before the teeth appear.
If the fungus grows out of control in your baby's mouth, it can develop into oral thrush, which may cause sore patches on the tongue or elsewhere in or around his or her mouth. These may be uncomfortable or painful for your little one, especially when feeding.
If it only appears after feeding and can be wiped away without much difficulty, it's likely a milky tongue. However, if there are raised, white patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, and roof of mouth, and they're wiped to reveal raw and red skin, it may point to oral thrush.
A white tongue can be a sign of a health condition, such as lichen planus, leukoplakia, geographic tongue, mouth ulcers or oral thrush. But do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
Two things can cause a baby's tongue to appear white: oral thrush and milk residue. Both are common and can create a thick, white coating on the tongue that looks like cottage cheese. In healthy infants, neither is serious, though thrush can cause some irritation.
Oral thrush is a common infection in babies, but you can help prevent it: If you formula-feed your baby or use a pacifier, thoroughly clean the nipples and pacifiers in hot water or a dishwasher after each use. That way, if there's yeast on the bottle nipple or pacifier, your baby won't be reinfected.
It is not uncommon for a newborn to have a white tongue. Their primary source of nourishment is breast milk or formula, so milk residue from a recent feed is the most likely cause of this discoloration.
Oral Care Before the Teeth Come In
Before your baby has teeth, you won't need to use a toothbrush, infant tongue cleaner, or toothpaste. Instead, a small piece of gauze or a washcloth soaked in a bit of water should suffice.
Without good care, they can get cavities and other problems. Before their first teeth start coming in, though, newborns need their tongues, gums, and inner cheeks to be bacteria-free to avoid potential health issues. A baby tongue cleaner can be a great tool for this.
Even before any teeth come out, there are certain oral health problems that babies are susceptible to. These are: oral thrush and recurrent mouth ulcers (canker sores). The risk of your baby developing both these problems can be reduced by cleaning their mouths regularly.
Breastfed babies can also develop thrush in their mouths. Thrush infections sometimes happen when your nipples become cracked or damaged. This means the candida fungus that causes thrush can get into your nipple or breast. Thrush infections can also happen after you or your baby has had a course of antibiotics.
Mother's milk may actually help to protect baby against candida overgrowth, as some studies have shown a greater incidence of thrush in babies who are formula fed (Zollner 2003, Hoppe 1997).
Thrush in infants and young children isn't a serious problem. It usually goes away on its own. Some children may need antifungal medicine. Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety.
What's the best position to burp my baby? Support your baby's head and neck, make sure their tummy and back is nice and straight (not curled up), and rub or pat their back gently. You don't need to spend ages burping your baby, a couple of minutes should be enough.
How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
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.