Stand in front of a mirror and stick out your tongue. Do you see a white coating? Well, this could signify many things such as oral thrush or syphilis but one thing is for sure, you have a white tongue.
White patches can be all over your tongue, or on the sides as well as the back part. Either the coating is spread all over or is in patches.
This coating can keep building up or maybe a sudden response to an infection. That depends on its cause which we will discuss in detail below.
Keep reading this article to know how you can get rid of the white tongue.
Why Are There Patches on my Tongue?
The main reason behind the appearance of this coating and patches is poor oral hygiene.
The tongue has small bumps i.e. the papillae. These bumps can swell, enlarge and inflame if debris and bacteria get stuck inside.
This happens only when you do not take good care of your oral hygiene.
Not brushing and flossing teeth properly is one of the main culprits.
Moreover, several people may even miss out on cleaning their tongues. Are you one of those?
Using a tongue cleaner is another important part of your oral care routine hence, you should not miss out on that for bacteria to keep accumulating there.
This hygiene issue can also stem from accumulating bacteria.
If you drink alcohol or take certain medications that result in a dry mouth then you are at risk of bacteria accumulation.
A dry mouth without enough saliva will not filter away the bacteria and debris. Giving them more room to accumulate on the tongue and get stuck in the papillae.
Dehydration, sleeping while keeping the mouth open, snoring or breathing from the mouth can all cause it.
Other than that, smoking and chewing tobacco as well as irritation from braces or dentures can result in these patches.
It can also abruptly happen after going through a fever or eating soft foods every time.
That said, there are also some medical conditions that can result in the appearance of the patches. More on that below.
Medical Conditions Behind a White Tongue
Geographic Tongue
A geographic tongue is an uneven pattern of red and white patches on your tongue giving it a map-like appearance.
This happens because a few parts of the skin shed quickly. These are the red patches that can get infected.
On the other hand, the rest of the patches stay in place for too long turning white.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a cell overgrowth in the lining of your mouth.
The cells from the white coating when they combine with certain proteins.
These thick patches cannot be scraped using a tongue cleaner.
One of the causes behind leukoplakia is irritation in the mouth due to alcohol consumption or tobacco use.
It is not a serious condition unless it turns into cancer after years. Therefore, see your doctor as soon as you see the patches.
Syphilis
White tongue STD and STI are syphilis.
It is a bacterial infection that needs prompt treatment because of its consequences other than the white patches which are a small symptom.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a yeast infection due to an overgrowth of Candida fungus.
This yeast is harmless inside your mouth if there is no overgrowth. Otherwise, it causes pain, leaves an unpleasant taste in your mouth, soreness and even redness on your tongue along with the patches.
People who have recently undergone chemotherapy or taken antibiotics are at the greatest risk for developing these patches due to oral thrush.
Thus, people with a weak immune system are prone to it.
Oral Lichen Planus
This chronic inflammatory condition results from microscopic threats as well as problems in your immune system.
It could happen because of an immune response causing ven ulcers, soreness, swelling and redness.
It not only affects the mouth and tongue but also the cheeks, lips and gums.
Treating a White Tongue
There are several symptoms of this condition and not only the patches. You can treat them accordingly:
If there are many patches like those in a geographic tongue then you do not need any specific treatment.
This condition doesn’t spread nor is it dangerous.
However, the discomfort and pain can make it bothersome.
Therefore, avoid drinks and foods as well as habits that can make the pain worse.
- Rash on the tongue because of oral lichen planus
Oral lichen planus does not need any specific treatment. However, the downside of that is that it can stay on your tongue for many years.
The symptoms such as burning or sore gums can lessen by using steroidal mouthwashes, sprays and using pills.
- Mouth cancer as leukoplakia becomes severe
If the patch on your tongue can turn cancerous, then your doctor may recommend removing it.
They will use cryotherapy, a scalpel or even a laser to remove it to prevent the escalation of cells from becoming cancerous.
- Hairy Tongue because of weak immunity
A hairy tongue may appear because of bacteria and debris getting stuck in your papillae.
Hence, your doctor’s treatment will focus on improving your immune system.
They will apply a topical treatment to the patch or prescribe antiviral medication.
The appearance of the white patches due to syphilis is not one that will disappear on its own.
It needs immediate treatment which is usually a single antibiotic injection. However, that prolonging to a year usually requires three injections to cure.
Do not delay it as it can cause severe damage to your nervous system.
- Mouth fungus due to oral thrush
Antifungal medicines will work to cure the fungus in your mouth.
Gels, liquids, mouthwashes and patches can work too.
Treating the Condition at Home
If you have syphilis then there is no other way except for getting prompt treatment.
However, if the buildup is only due to bacteria or a reaction to an irritant then you can easily get rid of the patches at home.
Eating Raw Garlic
Garlic has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Hence, it can fight off bacteria and fungi accumulating in your mouth.
Chop some garlic and eat it with olive oil.
Scrape Your Tongue
Though garlic can stink a lot. If you want to eat it all day, then scrape your tongue right afterward.
Not does it only reduce the smell of garlic, it will also remove the debris and bacteria that get stuck on your tongue.
Clean at least twice a day but if needed after every meal. Also, if you do not have a tongue brush, scraper or other cleaners, you can use the back of your mouth.
Probiotics
Probiotics in cultured yogurt and other cultured products contain good bacteria.
These help to rebalance the mouth’s oral ecology and are also good for the digestive system of your body.
Hence, it can even get rid of the infectious yeast and other forms of bad bacteria that worsen your oral health.
Other ways to reduce the patches include:
- Brushing your tongue with toothpaste and baking soda only with a soft toothbrush
- Drinking 8 glasses of water at least
- Using a baking soda oral rinse that clears away bacteria behind infections i.e. Streptococcus
- Use an antifungal mouthwash
- Drink cold drinks with a straw
- Rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash
- Take pain medications for discomfort
- Do not take things that cause irritation such as alcohol mouthwashes, alcoholic drinks and cigarette smoke.
- Avoid hot foods, spicy foods and salty foods
Preventing a White Tongue
This oral health condition is not entirely preventable. You cannot help it if it is your immune system’s reaction.
That said, if it stems from bacteria and debris getting stuck in the papillae then good oral hygiene can make a huge difference.
So follow basic oral hygiene to prevent several problems with your mouth.
These begin with brushing your teeth twice and flossing them once a day.
Plus, include a tongue scraper in your routine. This will help to keep the papillae open preventing an infection.
Including a fluoride mouthwash can strengthen your enamel protecting your teeth from decay.
Occasionally using an antibacterial mouthwash will also keep the bacteria at bay.
Other than that, you can implement some lifestyle changes such as foregoing drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco.
Along with that have a healthy diet full of nutrition rather than simply relying on a diet of soft foods.
Next, do not skip going to your dentist. Visit them every 6 months so that even if there are signs of some serious oral health problems related to your tongue they can solve it immediately.
They can also address the concern of cancer and immediately lookout for its diagnosis.
See your doctor also if you have already developed the condition but it’s getting worse.
Look out for sores, burning sensation, have trouble chewing, talking and swallowing.
Plus you are also experiencing weight loss, skin rash and fever.
Thus see your dentist to prevent the condition from worsening.
Finally,
A white tongue is not an alarming condition.
However, it needs prompt treatment because it may be pointing towards other greater health concerns.
Hence, keep tabs on your tongue to see if you are developing these patches and visit your dentist whenever you notice it.
