There are many possible causes for white tongue, and in some cases, it comes with an unpleasant odor and mouth dryness. To get rid of it, sometimes you just need to brush your teeth. But what should you do if that doesn’t help?
❗ This article is for informative purposes only and can’t replace the advice of a specialist.
What white tongue is
The white film may cover the entire tongue, part of it, or appear as spots. At the same time, an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth may appear. It looks as if there are small white hairs on the tongue’s surface. In fact, they are buds covered with organic particles, bacteria, and dead cells.
White plaque on the tongue (which can also be yellow) may appear for different reasons, like due to irritation or because of an infection. It usually disappears after several days. If the situation doesn’t change for several weeks, and it’s painful to eat and talk, it’s best to see a doctor.
It’s important to note that the plaque may not only be white. While a pink tongue is normal, a brown tongue means the person drinks too much coffee or tea. A yellow tongue means there’s something wrong with the liver, and a red tongue is a sign that the person lacks vitamin B.
Why the tongue becomes white
Usually, the tongue becomes white due to bacteria, leftover bits of food, or dead cells that get stuck in between the buds. Because of this, the buds may increase in size or become inflamed. This is how white spots on the tongue’s surface appear.
Sometimes, the plaque appears due to an illness. For example, the geographic tongue is also a condition where white spots appear on the tongue. It’s quite rare, and the causes are unknown, but the condition itself is often connected to eating foods that irritate the tongue. It may also be a reaction to stress, an illness, or hormonal changes.
Why white plaque appears on the tongue
There are some things that make the appearance of white plaque on the tongue more probable:
- Age
- Taking antibiotics (white-yellow plaque appearing when there’s a fungal infection in the mouth)
- A diet that’s lacking enough fruits, vegetables, vitamin B12, and iron
- A weak immune system
- Bad mouth hygiene
- Dental prosthetics or other objects that can damage the tongue
- Dehydration and mouth dryness
What piercings have to do with white tongue
Right after piercing the tongue, there might be some white film present. This happens because the number of bacteria on the tongue increases, and it’s normal. Antibacterial mouthwash will help you get rid of it. Plus, there might be a ring around the piercings, which is normal too, and it means the tissue is healing.
If the plaque appears due to an injury (including piercings), the healing should take around 1.5 weeks. You should avoid irritants, such as hot, spicy, or sour foods and drinks.
How to get rid of white tongue at home
- Practice good mouth hygiene.
- Drink enough water.
- Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush.
- Use a mild fluoride toothpaste — one that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Use fluoride mouthwash.
- Brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to remove the white coating.
- Drink cold drinks through a straw.
- Avoid food and drinks that are spicy, salty, acidic, or very hot in temperature.
Who to talk to if you’re worried about your white tongue
- Your dentist can help you remove the white film from the tongue and prescribe medications if needed.
- Your GP can diagnose the tongue, prescribe you certain medications and determine if the white tongue is an indicator of a more serious issue.
What do you do about white tongue?
Preview photo credit Genusfotografen (genusfotografen.se) & Wikimedia Sverige (wikimedia.se) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Martanopue / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Canine Courage: A Dog’s Selfless Act Protects Owners from Brutal Intruder
Undoubtedly, our furry companions display an unwavering commitment and love towards their owners. A recent incident highlights the immense loyalty of a dog who selflessly sacrificed his life to save his family. The incident took place in Merauke, Indonesia when Achy Wijaya found his beloved dog in a near-death state in their yard. He had heard the dog barking the previous night.
NtdNews reported that Achy was deeply saddened to discover that his canine was intentionally poisoned. Achy shared on his Facebook profile that his furry companion kept barking, deterring the burglars from robbing their house. However, Achy revealed that they found out about the poisoning when they left their home in the morning and discovered their loyal hound’s fate.
Based on the tragic circumstances recounted, the family reported that they were fast asleep when a group of burglars intruded into their home. Their loyal dog began barking frenziedly, but the noise was disregarded as they assumed the canine had spotted their pet cat. To their dismay, the dog’s barks suddenly ceased, and the next day, they found it lying motionless and barely breathing – having vomited and frothed at the mouth, indicating it had been poisoned. “We wanted to take our beloved pet to the vet, but we reside in Papua where the only available veterinarian mainly attends to cattle. Furthermore, it being a Sunday, the clinic was shut,” lamented Achy. The family attempted to revive their furry friend by giving it milk, oil, and coconut milk, but it was too weak and eventually passed away.
As Achy mourned the loss of his beloved dog who sacrificed himself to save his family, he decided to film the dog’s final moments as a tribute to his heroism. He also wanted to use the video as a cautionary tale for other pet owners, urging them to take heed when their dogs bark.
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