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.
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 white tongue is usually nothing to worry about. But on rare occasions, this symptom can warn of a more serious condition like an infection or early cancer. That's why it's important to keep an eye on your other symptoms, and call your doctor if the white coating doesn't go away in a couple of weeks.
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.
When food particles, bacteria, and debris get trapped in the papillae (the tiny dots on the surface of the tongue), it causes a white coating and an unpleasant smell. Good oral hygiene is the best way to avoid and treat this. Take time to gently clean your tongue with a tongue scraper after brushing your teeth.
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.
A healthy tongue should be pink in color with small nodules called papillae over the surface. Certain medical disorders may cause your tongue to change in appearance, and a color-changing tongue could be your first indication of a severe underlying issue.
Iron deficiency anemia or pernicious anemia – A pale (almost white), smooth tongue can be caused by a deficiency in iron or vitamin B12.
Other microorganisms and bacteria keep the fungus from growing out of control. However, illnesses, stress and medications can all cause Candida to reproduce more. The main symptom of oral thrush is white lesions that resemble cottage cheese, found usually on the tongue or inner cheeks.
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.
Drink plenty of water: Enough water helps keeping your tongue clean and gets rid of extra food particles. Eat crunchy fruits that cleanse the tongue naturally: Apples and guava are good examples of this. Eat raw vegetables: Raw vegetables, such as spinach, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
According to The Mayo Clinic, a white tongue is the result of the papillae's swelling on your tongue's surface. And when debris, dead cells, and bacteria get caught between these enlarged papillae, it can look like a white coating.
The tongue is a breeding ground for different bacteria and plaque. Throughout the day, food debris and other bacteria will start building up on the tongue as well as on your teeth. Many people brush their teeth two times a day to clean off this debris from their teeth but forget or overlook cleaning the tongue.
While everyone's tongue may look slightly different, a “typical healthy” tongue has similar characteristics. It ought to be pink, with a thin whitish coating on the surface. Papillae are also prevalent on a healthy tongue. These are small nodules along the surface that help you eat and taste your food.
Usually it goes away by itself, but sometimes treatment with an antiviral medication can help. It's important to get checked out if you have white patches in the mouth because some types of leukoplakia are considered precancerous. That means they can turn into mouth or tongue 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.
A healthy tongue should be pink, pain-free, and covered in tiny projections called papillae. Changes in its color, texture, or sensations could indicate issues with your oral health along with other conditions within your body.
That may sound strange, but your tongue can tell a lot about your health. For example, a black and hairy looking tongue can signal poor oral hygiene, or diabetes. If your tongue is bright red like a strawberry, it could signal a deficiency in folic acid, vitamin B12, or iron.