Why is tongue coated white

Oral thrush is one condition that may cause the tongue to appear white. Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by the Candida yeast. Oral thrush causes patches to develop in the mouth and on the tongue. These patches usually have a white or off-white color and may have an unpleasant taste.

People who have a weakened immune system may be more likely to develop oral thrush. This includes people who have recently taken antibiotics or undergone chemotherapy. Poor oral hygiene or wearing poorly fitting dentures are other risk factors.

Oral thrush can be caused by the use of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma. Certain conditions also increase the risk of infection, including diabetes. Syphilis is a commonly-known sexually transmitted infection STI that can cause symptoms in the mouth. Untreated syphilis can cause white patches to appear on the tongue and sores in the mouth.

Syphilis requires medical treatment. Mouth or tongue cancer may cause a white tongue, and other mouth conditions may also make the symptoms worse. If the symptoms do not respond to basic oral care or are experienced alongside other symptoms, a person should speak to a doctor.

Oral thrush is treated with antifungal medicines, most likely in the form of an oral drop, for 1 to 2 weeks until it has run its course. Oral lichen planus is treated with corticosteroids if it is severe, but in many cases, it is simply monitored by a doctor or dentist.

Leukoplakia will also be monitored by a healthcare professional to make sure it is not getting worse. Syphilis is treated with the antibiotic penicillin that kills the bacteria that cause the disease. Reducing irritants in the mouth, such as alcohol and tobacco, may help clear up the white patches. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods and drinks, such as kimchi, pickles, and kombucha.

Yogurt also often contains probiotics. Probiotics are another way to influence oral symptoms such as a white tongue. Probiotics are strains of bacteria that are good for the digestive system. While lots of research on probiotics focuses on improving gut health, probiotics may also be helpful for the mouth and tongue. A review in the European Journal of Dentistry noted that probiotic bacteria can occupy the mouth as well as the gut. In some cases, these bacteria can help fight off infectious yeasts and other bad strains of bacteria.

While the evidence is not conclusive, probiotics may still help balance the environment in the mouth and avoid a white tongue. A range of probiotics is available for purchase online. Adding food-grade baking soda to a toothbrush and scrubbing the tongue, teeth, and gums may help reduce the bacteria that cause a white tongue.

One study found that baking soda kills harmful bacteria that commonly cause infections in the mouth, such as Streptococcus and Candida. Eating raw garlic may help the body fight off infections caused by Candida. Put two cups of bark into four cups of boiling water and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then remove the heat and let it cool for at least an hour. Strain the water and drink small portions throughout the day. One of the most important things you can do to prevent and treat white tongue is maintain proper oral hygiene.

Make sure to brush your teeth and gums at least twice each day, including after meals. You can also try tongue scraping, which is another practice of Ayurvedic medicine that can remove bacteria, debris and dead skin cells from the tongue. Tongue scraping helps get rid of white tongue and improves the smell of your breath too. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that a tongue scraper performed better than a toothbrush in reducing the production of volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath and other oral hygiene issues.

When the pipillae , or small bumps on your tongue, grow, which is perfectly normal, they become more likely to harbor bacteria. This is when your tongue begins to change color and texture, which is more likely to occur when you have poor oral hygiene. Sometimes your tongue may feel sore or have painful bumps. It can also be caused by food allergies, a bacterial infection, a canker sore or a cold sore.

If you smoke, that can irritate your tongue and cause it to feel sore or discolored. Small bumps on the tongue are usually harmless and only temporary.

White tongue is a symptom of a health condition. Schedule Appointment. Root Canals. Second Opinions. Cosmetic Veneers. Tooth Restoration Bridges. Oral Cancer Screenings. Sleep Apnea Treatment Options.

Our Practice What We Do. 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. Our Mission. Submit an Idea. Modern Slavery Statement. Contact Us. United Kingdom UK English. Colgate Palmolive Pension Plan. Brand Logo. All rights reserved.

Terms Of Use. Privacy Policy. Children's Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Search Box Clear. Products Categories Goals Brands. Oral Health Education Our Commitment. You also might like. Our Commitment Our Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program brings oral health education to more than half a billion children around the world.

Learn more about our commitement to oral health education. Badge field New. Published date field.