Why Is My Tongue White?
Food particles and bacteria can get stuck in the tiny bumps on your tongue, called papillae, causing a white coating to appear on its surface. The raised papillae in your mouth provide a large surface area for debris to collect, which can result in inflammation and swelling. The build-up often results in bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth.
The causes are listed below:
- Poor oral hygiene, which includes brushing, flossing, and tongue scraping.
- Vaping, smoking, dipping or chewing tobacco.
- Consuming multiple alcoholic drinks each day can result in dehydration.
- Wearing dentures and sharp objects that could potentially damage your tongue.
- Using antibiotics can lead to a yeast infection developing in your mouth.
- A diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in soft foods.
- Breathing with your mouth.
- Experiencing dry mouth can be a result of either a medical condition or the use of specific medications, such as muscle relaxers and certain cancer treatments.
A white tongue can be a symptom of several health conditions, such as:
- Geographic tongue: Red patches with white borders on the tongue may indicate a health issue commonly seen in individuals with conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, Type 1 diabetes, or reactive arthritis.
- Leukoplakia: Mouth discoloration with white patches or spots can be caused by various factors such as chewing tobacco, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
- Oral lichen planus: A chronic inflammatory mouth condition that caused by the presence of white patches on the inside of your cheeks, gums, and tongue. This condition is believed to be linked to immune system issues, which play a role in protecting your body from germs.
- Oral thrush: Candidiasis is a condition caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus, which is a type of yeast commonly found in the mouth. When this yeast multiplies excessively, it can lead to infections.
- Syphilis: A symptom of this sexually transmitted infection (STI) can be a white coating on the tongue.
White tongue can be a symptom of oral cancer, although it is rare.
What is white tongue?
Having a white tongue appears when there is a thick layer of white film covering the surface of your tongue. The taste of this film can cover the entire tongue, focus on the back, or appear in patches. A white tongue is often caused by bacteria, debris (such as leftover food and sugar), or dead cells trapped on the tongue, rather than being a cause for concern.
Black hairy tongue can be a condition that appears alongside another tongue issue called white tongue. Black hairy tongue is a condition where food debris, dead cells, and bacteria buildup on the tongue, causing it to look fuzzy and dark instead of its normal white color.
A white-coated tongue can be the result of different factors and usually clears up within a few weeks. It is recommended to consult with a medical professional if the condition continues or affects your eating or speaking abilities.
What are White Tongue Symptoms
Aside from the white coating on your tongue, you might also notice other additional symptoms like unpleasant breath, an unsavory taste in your mouth, or the papillae appearing larger.
The presence of an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi in the oral cavity can result in the development of white tongue, often accompanied by bad breath and an unpleasant taste, commonly referred to as halitosis.
How is white tongue treated?
In most cases, white tongue will resolve on its own in a few weeks even without treatment. If the issue continues or if you want to speed up the process, seeking treatment may be a good option. Treatment options for white tongue are based on individual symptoms and the root causes.
Tongue rash
In many cases, rashes often resolve without treatment. However, if you have a rash from oral lichen planus that continues, your doctor may recommend steroidal mouthwashes (Water mixed with steroid pills) and sprays to reduce discomfort such as burning or soreness in the gums.
Infection
If you have a fungal infection, such as oral thrush, your doctor may recommend antifungal medications like fluconazole (Diflucan®) or nystatin (Nystop®) to treat it.
Treatment for syphilis-induced white tongue involves the use of antibiotics such as penicillin to target the bacteria causing the condition.
White patches
White patches on the tongue, known as Geographic tongue, are generally harmless and do not increase the risk of cancer. Treatment prioritizes symptom management, such as avoiding foods and drinks that may cause irritation. Applying antifungal remedies directly to the tongue may provide relief from discomfort.
If leukoplakia patches are found to be potentially cancerous, doctors will recommend their removal to avoid complications. Different methods, such as scalpel, laser, or cryotherapy, can be used during the procedure to remove the patches effectively. This surgery can decrease the risk of tongue cells turning cancerous.