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.
A white tongue is usually caused by a buildup of bacteria and dead cells on the surface of the tongue. Good oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular dental checkups will keep your tongue healthy. Sometimes a white tongue can be a sign of an underlying health problem or a medication side effect.
Causes of white tongue
Dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, tobacco consumption, etc., also lead to the white tongue and bad breath. In fact, a white tongue can be a sign of halitosis in the first place.
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.
For the most part, your tongue can look white for benign reasons (maybe you're dehydrated or skipped a few brushings), but thicker white patches can also be a sign of infection or, in rare cases, mouth or oral cancer.
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.
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.
Healthy tongue color is pink, though the specific shades may range from light to dark. A healthy, normal-colored tongue also has small bumps all over its surface. These are papillae. They help you speak, taste, chew and swallow.
having poor oral hygiene. having a dry mouth, either because of a medical condition or a medication you are taking. smoking. having chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer.
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.
Iron deficiency anemia or pernicious anemia – A pale (almost white), smooth tongue can be caused by a deficiency in iron or vitamin B12.
One of the easiest and most effective home remedies for the white tongue is a saltwater rinse. To do this, mix a tablespoon of salt with a cup of warm water and swish the solution around in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Take time to gently clean your tongue with a tongue scraper after brushing your teeth. Thick white coating or patches of white on the tongue may be a sign of oral thrush, an infection caused by an overgrowth of the candida fungus.
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 healthy tongue is typically pink in color and covered with papillae (tiny bumps) which contain your taste buds and assist with chewing food. Indications of an unhealthy tongue include different coloration besides pink, spots or patches (such as white, brown, or black spots), open sores, etc.
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.
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.
Does mouthwash clean your tongue? Mouthwash can be helpful in maintaining oral health, but it isn't a substitute for brushing and flossing. Rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash kills bacteria in the mouth, but can't remove bacteria hiding in the crevices of the tongue.
Oral thrush is another condition that may cause the tongue to appear white. Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by the Candida yeast. Symptoms include: white or off-white patches in the mouth and on the tongue.
Keeping this in mind, brushing your tongue is critical in removing all of the bacteria and germs from your mouth. If you do not brush your tongue, you are skipping a large area where many bacteria gather in colonies, and eventually cause trouble in your mouth.
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.