What happens if your tongue is white

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Learn more about our commitment to oral health education. Coated Tongue: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Top Articles. When to See a Doctor for a Coated Tongue A coated tongue also known as white tongue is a symptom that causes your tongue to appear to have a white coating. According to the Cleveland Clinic , risk factors that may increase your likelihood of developing white tongue include: Improper oral hygiene Medications, including antibiotics Alcohol, smoking, tobacco products, and illegal drugs Chronic health conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, and syphilis Oral health conditions, including leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, geographic tongue , and oral thrush Weakened immune system Trauma to your mouth Tongue and lip piercings Cancer treatment Dehydration and dry mouth also known as xerostomia.

Coated Tongue Treatment and Prevention Because a coated or white tongue is associated with a range of health issues, it can be difficult to diagnose on your own accurately. Steps you can take to treat or prevent your coated tongue may include: Gently brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush for a full two minutes each time!

Carefully clean between your teeth once a day using floss, a flossing device, or an interdental brush. Rinse after cleaning your teeth or after meals using an antiseptic mouthrinse. Consider using a tongue scraper to help remove buildup on your tongue. For short-term relief, sucking on lozenges can help stimulate saliva flow. Oral thrush is usually easy for a dentist or doctor to diagnose, as they will examine the patches on the tongue and take a sample. Your dental professional will likely treat it with a prescription pill or mouthrinse.

According to Stanford Medicine , your dental professional might also scrape off the patches, which is a painless procedure. If you see white patches on your tongue, it's a good idea to see your medical or dental professional for a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. A white tongue can also develop when a person doesn't practice the best oral hygiene habits. Without regularly cleaning your mouth of bacteria and debris, it will remain on your mouth and on your tongue—which can also lead to cavities and other infections.

One of the first steps, especially if poor oral hygiene is causing your pale tongue, is to improve your oral hygiene habits. That means brushing twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss, water flossers, or another interdental cleaning device. You may also want to try gently brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water. Talk to your dental professional about what could be causing this discoloration.

They will likely examine your tongue, ask you questions about your health, and recommend a treatment plan. Luckily, a pale tongue is usually not an indication of a severe medical condition. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics.

It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Many companies make specific tools for tongue scraping, available for purchase online. However, the edge of a spoon can be used just as easily. While it is not always possible to avoid getting a white tongue, basic oral hygiene can help prevent many cases. This includes brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Many people also benefit from using a tongue scraper every day or brushing the tongue with a toothbrush. Lifestyle choices may also help prevent a white tongue at times.

Avoiding tobacco products and alcoholic drinks may help, as well as eating a varied and nutritious diet. Going to a dentist every 6 months for a checkup will help keep the mouth as clean as possible. People should report any worrying symptoms to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The outlook for a white tongue is typically very good. In many cases, it is harmless, even if it may be distressing to see. Symptoms may not always respond to improved hygiene or lifestyle choices right away, but improved oral health is suggested for anyone with a white tongue. In rare cases, a white tongue is an indication of a serious underlying condition. Following the treatment plan set out by a doctor is the best way of relieving symptoms.

Read the article in Spanish. Wounds on the tongue may need stitches if they are large or deep. Learn about home care strategies and when to contact a doctor here. A sore on the side of the tongue is usually a canker sore or cold sore.

However, sores are sometimes symptoms of other conditions. Learn more here. Cracked tongue causes one or more grooves to form on the tongue's surface. Here, learn about the causes, how to prevent complications, and more. Learn about some of the causes of bumps under the tongue, including salivary stones and oral mucous cysts, and how doctors diagnose and treat them.

This oral detoxification is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda advises oil pulling to purify the entire system, as it holds that each section of the tongue is connected to different organs of the body. The oil sucks the debris and toxins out of your mouth and creates a clean, antiseptic oral environment.

Research shows that oil pulling can be used as an effective remedy in maintaining and improving oral health. It has shown to be just as effective as mouthwash at improving bad breath and reducing the microorganisms that may cause the buildup of bacteria in the mouth and white tongue.

Coconut oil is highly absorbable, and it has the power to kill candida. Oil pulling is simply done by swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10—20 minutes. Then spit the oil out in the trash, rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth as normal. There are many benefits of sea salt , including its natural antibacterial activities, so by gargling and swishing sea salt with water, you can eliminate bacteria and debris that causes white tongue. Plus, the coarse texture of sea salt works as an exfoliant, helping remove the white coating on the tongue.

Start by combining sea salt and water to create a mouthwash. After using the mouthwash, brush your teeth and tongue with the sea salt. It also contains enzymes that help to remove dead cells and promote the regeneration of skin tissue. Research conducted at UCLA Medical School found that over different disease-causing pathogens were destroyed within minutes when exposed to small amounts of colloidal silver.

Another colloidal silver benefit is it reduces inflammation and boots cell recovery. To get rid of white tongue, simply swish a tablespoon of colloidal silver with equal parts water in your mouth for five minutes, twice daily. Oregano oil has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.