Water is the best drink for cleaning your tongue by washing away food and bacteria, but other helpful options include green tea, diluted lemon water, or a turmeric drink for their antibacterial/antifungal properties, while crunchy fruits like apples also help mechanically clean the tongue as you eat. Staying hydrated promotes saliva, your mouth's natural cleaner, so drinking plenty of fluids is key.
Drinking green tea is a great way to help keep your tongue clean. Doing so greatly reduces the bacteria in your mouth. Therefore, drinking green tea helps to kill off odor-causing bacteria that can linger on the tongue.
Easy At-Home Remedies to Try
The easiest way to clean your tongue is with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is soft, with flexible plastic that gently peels away the thin layer of debris and mucus-like coating from your tongue.
All of our hygienists are well trained and routinely provide 'Full Mouth Detox' (or FMD) therapy to arrest and stabilise periodontitis progression. FMD is a thorough and hard hitting periodontal treatment which involves both a mechanical and antimicrobial attack on the bacteria driving the periodontal destruction.
Natural Methods to Combat Oral Bacteria
Look for ingredients like baking soda and essential oils. Herbs such as neem and clove are known for their powerful antibacterial properties in various forms, such as herbal tooth powders or mouth rinses, to help kill bad bacteria in the mouth.
Yes, most yellow teeth can become white again, with the best method depending on the cause, ranging from surface stains (coffee, tea, smoking) treatable with whitening strips or toothpaste to deeper intrinsic stains (aging, medication) that often require professional in-office whitening, custom trays, veneers, or bonding for significant results. Professional treatments offer faster, more dramatic changes, while consistent oral care and reducing staining agents help maintain whiteness.
Treatment of a Coated Tongue
Some things you can try to get rid of a white tongue include: Drink at least 2 litres of water a day to rinse bacteria from your mouth and tongue. Use a tongue scraper to remove any excess bacteria from your tongue. Use an antibacterial mouthwash with fluoride twice daily for two weeks.
Which type of tongue cleaner is best?
What are the symptoms of tongue problems?
That's where tongue scrapers come in. These small plastic devices feature a curved edge designed to be placed on your tongue and dragged across the top to remove all the germs and bacteria that cause bad breath.
Tongue warning signs include changes in color (white patches for thrush/leukoplakia, pale for anemia, purple for poor circulation, bright red for infections/deficiencies), texture (smooth for glossitis/B12 lack, bumpy for infections/stress, black hairy for buildup), or presence of sores/lumps (ulcers, oral cancer signs if persistent), with signs like swelling, pain, or persistent changes signaling potential dehydration, allergies, vitamin issues, or serious infections/cancers that need a doctor's attention, especially if with other symptoms like breathing issues or difficulty swallowing.
A healthy tongue is light to dark pink. But significant color changes may indicate an underlying health condition. Knowing what to look for can help you detect issues early on, so you can get the treatment you need.
High in phosphate and calcium, cheese (and milk) helps neutralize the acid in the mouth, killing bacteria and preserving tooth enamel. This prevents cavities and gum disease. Chewing celery (or apples or carrots) produces saliva, neutralizing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans that causes cavities.
Poor oral hygiene (not brushing, flossing or scraping your tongue regularly). Smoking, vaping, dipping or chewing tobacco. Drinking more than one alcoholic beverage daily (which leads to dehydration). Wearing dentures or damaging your tongue with sharp objects.
All you want to do is, brush your tongue gently with sea salt once a day. Swish your mouth with a mixture of sea salt and water once or twice a day.
Three of our dentists gave Listerine Total Care Zero an alcohol-free thumbs up when it comes to good gum care. “It's a good alcohol-free rinse that helps reduce bacteria and supports tissue healing,” says Dr. Manuele.
Start Fresh: Rinse your mouth with warm water. Brush Smart: Use a soft toothbrush and gently brush your tongue in circular motions. Scrape: Use a tongue scraper from back to front-this removes buildup that brushing may miss. Rinse Again: Use an alcohol-free mouthwash or warm saltwater rinse.
The most serious causes of a coated tongue are smoking, an underlying illness, or leukoplakia, a precancerous condition. Poor oral hygiene can lead to poor overall health.
Poor oral hygiene
A harmless coating on the tongue, consisting of food debris, bacteria and dead cells, usually disappears with proper oral hygiene. However, if you frequently skip brushing your teeth, the coating on your tongue will get thicker.
A pale tongue may indicate anemia or a deficiency in essential nutrients like iron or vitamin B12. If you notice this, consult your doctor for blood tests and dietary advice.
The 2-2-2 rule in dentistry is a simple guideline for good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit your dentist twice a year, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by establishing consistent habits for plaque removal and professional monitoring.
You can't achieve 100% pure white teeth as natural teeth have slight variations, but you can get them very white and bright through professional treatments (veneers, in-office whitening) or at-home options (whitening strips, hydrogen peroxide rinses, baking soda pastes), alongside diligent oral hygiene, avoiding staining foods (coffee, red wine, tobacco), and regular dental checkups to prevent new stains and maintain results.
Common Foods and Drinks that Stain Teeth the Most