Depending on the tongue problem, risk factors may include smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, poor oral hygiene, viral infections, a weak immune system, and even stress.
You may want to brush with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 5 parts water once a day if your tongue is discolored. You should rinse your mouth out with water following this type of cleaning.
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.
a partial or complete loss of taste or changes in your ability to taste sour, salty, bitter, or sweet flavors. difficulty moving your tongue. tongue swelling. a change from the normal color of your tongue to or patches of color that are white, bright pink, black, or brown.
A black and hairy tongue may look concerning, but it's usually harmless. Bacterial overgrowth on the tongue most commonly causes it. Your tongue may look dark yellow, brown, or black. Also, the papillae may multiply, giving off the “hairy” appearance.
White tongue caused by a buildup of debris in the mouth is treated by regularly practicing good oral hygiene. Simple ways you can treat white tongue include: Drinking more water, up to eight glasses a day. Brushing your teeth using a soft toothbrush.
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.
Summary. Some common tongue infections will go away on their own, while others can be treated with over-the-counter medications, so getting a proper diagnosis for tongue pain is important.
Use antiseptic mouthwash – Swishing with mouthwash certainly isn't a substitute for brushing and flossing. With that said, using an antiseptic formula once or twice a day is a great addition to any oral hygiene routine. It's a simple way to kill bacteria, reduce plaque on your tongue, and freshen your breath.
Though most sore tongues aren't anything to worry about, you should consult a doctor if you have a lump or sore on your tongue that doesn't go away within a week or two. Many oral cancers don't hurt in the early stages, so don't assume a lack of pain means nothing is wrong.
The time it takes a tongue laceration to heal varies depending on the severity of the injury. Minor lacerations can heal quickly, whereas severe injuries may take several weeks to heal. If a doctor closes a laceration with absorbable stitches, these may take 4–8 weeks for the body to absorb.
Although tongue burns are unpleasant, they're usually not serious. Drinking cold beverages and eating soft, cool foods can help. Pain medications, like over-the-counter NSAIDs, can relieve pain and inflammation. With most burns, your tongue and taste buds will heal within a week or two.
There are two tools you can use to clean your tongue: your toothbrush or a tongue scraper, which you can find for cheap in the dental section of most drugstores. It's most effective to clean your tongue after brushing but before rinsing so that there is still some toothpaste residue in your mouth.
We recommend trying foods with known anti-microbial properties, such as chopped onions, garlic, ginger, and coconuts. This will help you to fight the harmful bacteria that resides on your tongue. You might also consider adding iron-rich foods into your diet.
White tongue is a coating of debris, bacteria and dead cells on your tongue that makes it look white. Although the appearance of white tongue may be alarming, the condition is usually harmless and temporary.
If a white tongue is your only symptom, you don't necessarily need to see your doctor. But if it doesn't go away in two weeks, you might want to consider calling for an appointment. Call sooner if you have these more serious symptoms: Your tongue is painful or it feels like it's burning.
The symptoms of tongue cancer might include: a red or white patch on the tongue that won't go away. a sore throat that doesn't go away. a sore spot (ulcer) or lump on the tongue that doesn't go away.
White. A white tongue typically indicates a bacterial overgrowth or infection, such as oral thrush. The tongue may appear to be pasty white, which is a common indicator of a yeast or fungal infection such as Candida.
Colgate Max Fresh Whitening Toothpaste with Breath Strips
Made with fluoride and packed with hundreds of mini breath strips, this toothpaste whitens and removes stains, and also fights cavities and bad breath-causing bacteria on teeth, tongue, cheeks, and gums.