Do you suffer from a white tongue? The tongue is normally pinkish-red. Sometimes the tongue is covered with a thin white deposit (called tongue coating or white coating), the thickness of which can vary. A white tongue can indicate reduced resistance or general physical condition, but it also occurs in people who smoke or drink a lot and people who do not take good care of their teeth. If you have a fever, you may also experience a white deposit on the tongue. The use of certain medicines can also cause a white tongue. If you drink too little and become dehydrated, you can also get a white deposit on the tongue. There are also certain conditions that can cause a white tongue, such as leukoplakia, map tongue and oral lichen planus. A map sole usually has white and red spots. A white tongue can be accompanied by other complaints such as spots, spots, bumps, pain, redness, swelling, etc.
- White tongue due to a dry mouth
- Excessive nasal mucus
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Excessive sugars in food or drinks
- White coated tongue due to stress
- White tongue due to leukoplakia
- Disorder of the oral mucosa
- What to do?
- Hairy leukoplakia
- White deposits due to candida
- Oral fungus
- Treatment of fungus on the tongue
- Periodontitis
- Advanced gingivitis
- What to do?
- Oral lichen planus
- Grey-white spots on the tongue
- Therapy
- White spots on tongue due to map tongue
- Innocent tongue disorder
- Can you do something about it?
- Scarlet fever
- Syphilis
- White discoloration of the mucous membrane due to tongue cancer
- White coated tongue due to medication
- White tongue due to lifestyle factors
- Drugs
- Treatment to remove white tongue deposits
- Remedy for white tongue
- Probiotics
- Garlic
- Baking soda
- Oregano oil
- Prevention
Human mouth / Source: Lusb, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-3.0)
White tongue due to a dry mouth
The saliva in your mouth protects the tissues in the mouth from damage and infection. It also protects your teeth and molars against cavities. When you suffer from a dry mouth, your mouth is less well kept clean and bacteria have free rein. which makes it easier for white deposits to develop on the tongue.
A dry mouth can be caused by drinking too little, by medications (side effect) or by radiation to the head and neck area. try to drink more. If that does not provide relief, it is wise to consult your doctor.
Excessive nasal mucus
Excessive nasal mucus due to a cold or allergy can cause a white tongue.
Smoking and drinking alcohol
It is well known that smoking and alcohol can cause damage to all kinds of body parts. However, what many people don’t know is that they can cause white deposits on your tongue. This is because tobacco and alcohol inhibit saliva production, which causes a dry mouth.
Excessive sugars in food or drinks
A diet with lots of sugary foods and drinks is a paradise for bacteria. The bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and starches into acids. Remaining sugars on your tongue are also the perfect breeding ground for fungi. In any case, it is precisely these bacteria and fungi that cause that white deposit on your tongue. Too much sugar can cause a white tongue.
White coated tongue due to stress
Persistent stress and poor sleep ensure that your immune system does not work properly. This causes the amount of bacteria in your mouth to be higher than normal. A fungal infection can also develop more easily. As a result, a white layer may appear on the tongue.
Quitting alcohol / Source: Istock.com/karelnoppe
White tongue due to leukoplakia
Disorder of the oral mucosa
A white tongue can be the result of a condition known as leukoplakia, a white disorder of the oral mucosa. Chronic irritation is the main causal factor for the development of leukoplakia, especially due to tobacco smoke. But there is not always a clearly identifiable causal factor. Leukoplakia can manifest itself anywhere in the mouth and sometimes it occurs in several places at the same time. It may be accompanied by a painful, burning sensation. Only rarely does leukoplakia develop into oral cancer.
What to do?
The solution for a white tongue deposit due to leukoplakia is to eliminate leukoplakia and to eliminate the suspected cause: stop smoking and drinking alcohol, and correct any dental problems.
Hairy leukoplakia
There is another special form of leukoplakia, the so-called hairy leukoplakia. A white-gray deposit appears in the oral cavity. This subtype is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, a herpes virus), which causes mononucleosis (another name is mononucleosis, due to swollen glands), and it is also common in people with HIV/AIDS.
Candida infection of the mouth / Source: Alila Medical Media/Shutterstock.com
White deposits due to candida
Oral fungus
Do you suffer from a white deposit on the tongue and a bad taste? There is a good chance that you are affected by oral candidiasis. This indicates an infection of the oral mucosa by a yeast: Candida albicans. Oral fungus can cause white spots in the mouth. You will then see a white or white-gray layer on the tongue or on the palate. Although oral fungus is more common in babies (especially newborns) and children, adults can also get it, especially if their immune system is compromised. Many adults carry this yeast without experiencing any complaints or discomfort. Candida is a normal resident of the oral cavity. In adults who develop thrush (oral candida infection), the balance is usually disturbed due to reduced resistance, for example:
- immune-suppressing medication;
- chemotherapy;
- HIV;
- persistent stress;
- after a course of antibiotics;
- in diabetes; and
- during pregnancy and childbirth.
Treatment of fungus on the tongue
To combat whitewash in the mouth, you can be prescribed antifungal medications. Thrush in a newborn disappears within a few days to weeks and then does not return.
Periodontitis
Advanced gingivitis
Periodontal disease is a gum infection that extends beyond the gums. If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, including flossing, brushing, brushing your teeth, you can encourage caries and gingivitis. Both caries and periodontal disease are primarily caused by plaque, a sticky deposit on teeth and molars, which is formed by bacteria. Acids are formed in this plaque. These acids can locally descale the enamel. People who suffer from gingivitis have a much thicker tongue coating. That’s because bacteria feast on the blood from inflamed gums. This allows the bacteria to multiply faster.
What to do?
So try to keep your gums healthy by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing your teeth once a day. You can also use a tongue scraper or tongue cleaner to remove tongue coating. Cleaning your tongue properly can prevent a white tongue.
Oral lichen planus
Grey-white spots on the tongue
Perhaps the most mysterious possible cause of a white tongue is oral lichen planus (lichen planus of the mouth), in which small gray-white lesions can develop on the tongue. Lichen planus of the mouth is a non-contagious autoimmune disease.
Therapy
It is an extremely persistent condition that is difficult to control. The doctor can prescribe medicines to control this condition. What you can do yourself is quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. These measures can significantly improve lichen planus complaints.
Map sole gives white and red spots on the tongue / Source: Jbarta, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
White spots on tongue due to map tongue
Innocent tongue disorder
A map tongue, also called ‘lingua geografica’, is an innocent change in the surface of the tongue. The cause is unknown. Characteristically, the mucosal surface of the tongue constantly changes in aspect. You can recognize a map tongue by smooth spots on the tongue that are often surrounded by whitish zones or lines. In just a few weeks, this aspect can change: the spots disappear in one place and appear elsewhere on the tongue. A map tongue often remains present throughout life, but long periods of remission may occur.
Can you do something about it?
There are no effective treatment options, but to prevent irritation you can avoid irritating drinks and foods. Some websites mention that map sole can be combated with vitamin B, but this cannot be found in the medical literature.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a childhood disease with symptoms such as fever, sore throat and a red, rough rash. A white deposit first appears on the tongue, which disappears within a few days. Afterwards, the tongue remains bright red and swollen for a while. This is also called a strawberry or raspberry tongue.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Syphilis can cause sores in your mouth. If syphilis is not treated, white spots, syphilitic leukoplakia, can develop on your tongue.
White discoloration of the mucous membrane due to tongue cancer
The complaints that people with tongue cancer can have are diverse. The most common signs and symptoms of tongue cancer are a palpable swelling, wound or ulcer that does not heal, pain in the tongue at the wound and sometimes radiating pain to the ear, neck or jaw and a red or white discoloration of the tongue. mucous membrane on the tongue.
White coated tongue due to medication
A white coating on the tongue may develop in response to certain medications, including certain antibiotics or corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory drugs). Consult your doctor about these or other side effects. Other medications may be necessary, but the white coating on the tongue often disappears once the treatment is over.
Hot peppers / Source: Holbox/Shutterstock.com
White tongue due to lifestyle factors
A white tongue can be caused by the following lifestyle factors:
- Dehydration;
- Poor oral hygiene
- Reaction to certain medications, including antibiotics or steroids;
- Smoking;
- Drug and alcohol use;
- Spicy foods, such as habanero (a very hot chili pepper from the Capsicum genus) and jalapeño (a medium-sized chili pepper from the Capsicum annuum group).
Drugs
Drugs like methamphetamine (also known as meth, crystal meth, methylamphetamine, N-methylamphetamine, pervetine or desoxyephedrine), heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and even cannabis can cause problems for your teeth, gums and tongue. These drugs can all cause a dry mouth, which means you produce less saliva. You need saliva to clean your teeth and tongue. Many people who use drugs also smoke. This can worsen the effects of drug use on your mouth.
Treatment to remove white tongue deposits
There are several ways to remove a white tongue deposit.
Remedy for white tongue
The Orabrush tongue cleaner removes tongue deposits, is effective against bad breath and a bad taste and is best used with Xdent Tongue Gel. Brush your tongue four times, tilt the scraper and remove the bacteria.
Probiotics
An imbalance in healthy and unhealthy intestinal bacteria can lead to a fungal infection and a white tongue layer. Taking probiotic supplements and eating probiotic foods supports intestinal flora. Probiotics can help keep oral flora in balance because they have a beneficial effect on saliva production and the feeling of a dry mouth. Some probiotics that produce hydrogen peroxide or fungicidal substances inhibit the growth of mold.
Using garlic for a white tongue / Source: Istock.com/Mallivan
Garlic
Garlic helps with a white tongue because of its antibacterial effect. Garlic also has antifungal properties, making it an effective natural treatment for white tongue. Research shows that allicin, one of the active ingredients in garlic, exhibits antifungal effects and may be as effective as fluconazole, a drug used to treat fungal infections, including fungal infections of the mouth.¹ To treat white tongue , take one clove of raw garlic per day or use an organic garlic supplement.
Baking soda
Baking soda or baking soda is a versatile agent. One of the many uses of baking soda is its ability to exfoliate the tongue, removing any residue that causes white tongue and maintaining good pH levels in the mouth by neutralizing acids. Research also shows that bicarbonate, or sodium bicarbonate, has a substantial inhibitory effect against Streptococcus mutans in saliva and plaque. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with lemon juice until a paste forms. Then add the mixture to your toothbrush and brush your tongue and mouth.
Oregano oil
Oregano oil has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It serves as a natural antibiotic. It is also an effective remedy against a fungal infection in the mouth.
Eat healthy and varied / Source: Oleksandra Naumenko/Shutterstock
Prevention
It is not always possible to prevent white tongue, but there are a number of measures you can take to reduce the chance of developing this condition. Good oral hygiene is the spearhead. This consists of:
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush;
- Use fluoride toothpaste;
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Use a fluoride mouthwash daily;
- Floss at least once a day.
Here are a few other tips to prevent white tongue:
- Go to the dentist every six months for a check-up and dental cleaning;
- Do not eat sugar too often and do not drink sugary or acidic drinks too often;
- Try to limit the number of eating moments in a day as much as possible to a maximum of 7;
- Avoid tobacco products and use alcohol in moderation;
- Eat a varied diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Note:
- Khodavandi A, Alizadeh F, Harmal NS, Sidik SM, Othman F, Sekawi Z, Chong PP. Expression analysis of SIR2 and SAPs1-4 gene expression in Candida albicans treated with allicin compared to fluconazole. Trop Biomed. 2011 Dec;28(3):589-98.
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- Cleft tongue: symptoms of fissures in the tongue or grooves in the tongue
- Tongue pain: causes and symptoms of sore tongue
- Yellow, red, black and white tongue: causes and symptoms
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