A white tongue is caused by trapped bacteria but is usually harmless. It will likely go away on its own, but you can do things to quicken its disappearance and prevent it from returning.
Those who have a white tongue will see a white film coating over their tongue. It can be in patches or covering only the back part of your tongue. It is unsightly and can come with bad breath and irritation.
What Causes White Tongue?
Bacteria and food sometimes get caught between tiny grooves in your tongue. The grooves are from small bumps called papillae, which can swell. The trapped bacteria cause bad breath and can leave you with a terrible taste in your mouth.
It is a temporary condition and will go away on its own if you enhance and monitor your oral hygiene habits.
Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of white tongue. People who don’t brush or floss regularly and who never consider their tongue in their oral hygiene are at risk. Other common causes of white tongue are eating too many soft foods, failing to include enough fruits and vegetables in your diet, smoking, vaping, dipping, chewing tobacco, and drinking more than one alcoholic drink daily.
Those who wear dentures or take antibiotics are at risk for white tongue. Diabetics who have a dry mouth or those undergoing cancer treatments are at risk. Those who breathe through their mouths or snore are at risk.
Better Vitamins for Teeth and Mouth
White tongue isn’t a symptom of oral cancer, but some of the issues associated with it may require a second look from a doctor. Geographic tongue, where there are red patches, is common in those with eczema, psoriasis, reactive arthritis, and Type 1 diabetes.
White patches or spots inside your mouth beyond your tongue could be leukoplakia, caused by tobacco and alcohol use, and could be associated with cancer.
Oral lichen planus is a white patch on the gums and inner cheeks as well as the tongue. It’s a chronic inflammatory issue related to your body’s immune system. Oral thrush is a yeast problem inside your mouth, but it is generally a harmless and treatable infection. A white tongue can be a symptom of the sexually transmitted disease syphilis.
Home Treatments
A white tongue usually can be treated at home by improving oral hygiene and hydrating more. Brushing your teeth and your tongue with a mild fluoride toothpaste and a good antibacterial mouthwash will help get rid of it. A good treatment is using a tongue scraper to remove the white film bacteria and then brushing. A tongue scraper is a device you can buy at a drug store or online that removes bacteria and dead skin cells from your tongue. It doesn’t have to be used every time you brush, but it is an effective tool against white tongue.
Flossing is also helpful in reducing bacteria in your mouth and should be done once a day.
Stopping bad habits like smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, dipping, and limiting alcohol intake helps.
Those with a white tongue should avoid foods that cause mouth irritation. That includes spicy, acidic, or salty foods. Also, avoid foods that are hot in temperature until the condition clears up.
Staying hydrated with plenty of water daily will help keep your tongue clear of bacteria.
Should I See a Doctor or a Dentist?
A doctor or dentist can help treat a white tongue that lasts more than a few weeks. Most will go away on their own with home treatments, but a healthcare provider can provide prescription antibiotics for specific cases.
Dental or medical treatments include steroidal mouthwashes, steroid sprays, and antifungal medicines. White patches may be removed if your dentist or doctor is concerned about cancer. Removal involves using a scalpel, laser, or cryotherapy, which is freezing them with liquid nitrogen.
A white tongue can be prevented by maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine that includes seeing your dentist every six months for an exam and cleaning. Brushing your teeth and tongue twice daily, scraping your tongue often, and flossing daily do a lot to remove bacteria from your mouth.
A good antibacterial mouthrinse can remove most bacteria from your mouth, preventing white tongue and infections.
Those with questions about white tongue or other dental issues can call our office. We are happy to help and can schedule an appointment.
