The tongue should normally be a healthy, pink color. It is covered with a coarser knob-like surface structure, the papillae. It happens that it can change color. This can have harmless reasons, such as poor oral hygiene, and in this case it occurs temporarily. However, it can also be an indication of an infection or other underlying medical condition. In this case, medical treatment is required. You don't always have to go to the doctor straight away if you discover a coated tongue, but you should be careful, take hygiene measures and monitor the progress.
Oral hygiene and dehydration
The most common reason for the appearance of the symptom can be dehydration and a dry mouth, which then becomes a breeding ground for theAccumulation of bacteriabetween the papillae. You automatically increase your risk of white tongue if you don't clean your teeth and tongue twice a day.
Candidiasis - fungal disease
A fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida that can cause whitening of the tongue, lesions, and even bleeding. The presence of this type of fungus in the mouth is actually normal, but if the organism is weakening, the yeast fungus could gain the upper hand. The infection can then spread throughout the mouth, from the tonsils to the throat. A fungal infection can be accompanied by chronic fatigue and further fungal infection in other areas of the body. If you feel this applies to you, you should speak to your doctor so they can find appropriate treatment for you.
Other possible infections and illnesses as a cause
However, if the white coating on the tongue does not go away with good hygiene or after fungal treatment, it may be aStreptococcal infectionof the neck. A bacterial infection with syphilis can also cause this symptom. It can also be observed in cases of infection with HIV/AIDS, certain autoimmune diseases, periodontitis or leukoplakia, a pathological change in the mucous membrane.
Explanatory models from alternative medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that the tongue represents the inside of the organism. The rising vapors from the stomach, for example, pass the tongue and can leave traces that provide information about the internal processes in the digestive tract. For example, if there is a white coating, a check is made for the possible development of gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining.
If the tongue turns yellow
Poor oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can also be the cause of yellowish to blackish discoloration of the tongue. Food residues settle in the papillae, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and leading to inflammation. Smoking, drinking and coffee consumption do not have any beneficial effects.
Medication
Certain medications, such as bismuth subsalycilate or Pepto-Bismol, can cause the tongue to turn yellow to black and the stool may also appear darker. AlsoAntibiotics cancause a yellowish coating by making the organism more susceptible to a possible Candida infection. Other medications that can cause tongue discoloration include iron supplements, antimalarial medications, birth control pills, oral chemotherapy medications, and others.
Liver diseases
Jaundice, in which the eyes, mouth, skin and tongue may appear yellow, may be an indicator of an existing more serious illness such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer and requires urgent medical treatment.
Chronic gastritis
In patients with existing chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, a yellowish discoloration of the tongue can be observed in many cases. If you have this suspicion, clarify whether this could be the case for you.
What you can do about a coated tongue
Take probiotics
Probiotics help balance the intestinal environment. They support the immune system and strengthen your body to deal with fungal diseases.
Baking soda
The product, which you can also use for baking, has secret cleaning superpowers and is also strong against streptococcal mutations in saliva and against plaque formation. It balances the PH level in the mouth and thus inhibits the acidic basis for germ formation.
Oil pulling with coconut oil
Oil pulling or oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic practice that is nothing more than putting a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and pulling it between all the teeth, nooks and crannies in your mouth for about 10 to 20 minutes. Then simply spit out the oil and brush your teeth as normal. Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties and has enormous cleaning power.
When to seek medical help
Not all tongue discoloration is cause for concern. But you should always take it as a warning sign and monitor your health more closely. If you experience other symptoms in addition to this symptom, speak to your doctor. These would be, for example:
- stomach pain
- Vomit
- Fever
- You bruise very easily and bleed very quickly.
- If the discoloration does not go away after 2 weeks, you should definitely have it checked out. As described above, the otherwise harmless appearance of the discolored tongue can also indicate serious illnesses or infections.
- If your skin and the whites of your eyes are also yellow, see a doctor.
- Your tongue hurts.
