Causes and Solutions for a White Tongue

White tongue is typically characterized by white patches or spots on the tongue. Though the appearance can be startling, the condition is almost always benign and not permanent. However, sometimes white tongue is a symptom of something more serious. If a person notices the white spots or streaks on their tongue do not go away within a short period of time or with correction of common causes, it is best to speak to a doctor.

Dehydration

One of the most common reasons for this condition is dry mouth or dehydration. When this happens, the tongue becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. If you think this is the cause of your white tongue, then there’s an easy solution for it. The most natural thing you can do is to increase your fluid intake. Drink more water and natural juices. These fluids can purify your system and make your white tongue go away. You can also try a method called coconut oil pulling. It’s a great way to cleanse your mouth to help remove the white tongue too.

Smoking and alcohol consumption

Smoking and alcohol consumption are common causes of white tongue. If you smoke a lot and drink alcohol frequently, you might notice the symptoms of this condition in your mouth. Of course, the best thing to do is to quit smoking. Aside from white tongue, the habit can also cause more serious illnesses. It’s also a great idea to limit alcohol consumption. Aside from this, you can also help alleviate the condition by keeping your tongue clean. Practicing good oral hygiene is a great way to treat and prevent the condition. You can also try tongue scraping to keep your tongue clean and bacteria-free.

An infection or illness

When you have a white tongue, you can try different home remedies to get rid of it. But if it doesn’t go away or it keeps coming back, then maybe the cause might be more serious. The white tongue might be the result of an underlying infection or illness. Try to see if you’re experiencing any other symptoms along with the white tongue. When you think an infection or illness is the cause of your condition, don’t try treating it with home remedies. Instead, you should go to the doctor and have yourself checked. This way, you can find out if you’re suffering from something more serious.

Thrush

Another common cause of white tongue is thrush. This happens when there’s an overgrowth of the candida fungus in your mouth. This fungus naturally resides in your mouth, but when it accumulates, it can spread and cause different symptoms and conditions such as a white tongue. The overgrowth of fungus and bacteria isn’t the only cause of thrush. It can also come from an imbalance of the good bacteria in the gut. This can also lead to thrush a white tongue. To combat this, you can try taking probiotic supplements. You can also eat probiotic foods which will help bring back the balance of good bacteria in your gut.

A reaction to medication

There are times when the condition stems from a reaction to the medication you’re taking. If you’re taking medications and you don’t see any other cause for the condition, then that’s probably the culprit. In this case, the solution is quite easy. Consult with your doctor to check if the medication is the one causing the white tongue. If it is, then you can ask your doctor to prescribe a different medication to treat your condition. But if your doctor doesn’t see the need for a change in medication, then that means that the condition is nothing more than a side effect. So all you have to do is wait until you’re done with the medications. Then eventually, the white tongue will also go away.

Inflammation of the tongue

Sometimes, a white tongue can also be a result of tongue inflammation. If your tongue starts swelling, you might notice the symptoms of white tongue too. If you don’t know the cause of the inflammation, then you need to ask your doctor. Do this to get the right diagnosis for your condition. In the case of inflammation, you can try using aloe vera. This plant has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why it’s commonly used as a treatment for different types of conditions and irritations. Aloe vera also contains special enzymes which can help remove dead cells to support the regeneration of tissue. So aside from the white tongue, aloe vera can also help treat the inflammation.

Environmental irritants

There are times when your tongue gets exposed to environmental irritants or debris. When these irritants get lodged in the tongue’s papillae, they would get a white coating. The papillae can then start swelling, and this is what causes the white tongue. In this case, you can relieve the condition by using baking soda. You can use this to exfoliate your tongue and remove any residue which causes the condition. Aside from this, the baking soda can also keep the right balance of pH levels in your mouth. Another thing you can do is use alcohol-based mouthwash after brushing your teeth and tongue.

Eating too many spicy foods

Eating too many spicy foods can also be the culprit for your condition. Most spicy foods contain compounds which are typically associated with the white tongue. Of course, the best thing you can do is to stay away from spicy foods when you already have white tongue. You can also use glycerin to alleviate the condition. It can help soothe the tongue and whiten the teeth too.

Poor oral hygiene

Another common cause of white tongue is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t practice good oral routines daily, you might develop this condition. The fact is, if you don’t brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day, you’re increasing your risk of developing white tongue. One thing you can do to ease the condition is to mix kosher or sea salt with water. Then you can use this as a homemade mouthwash. After using this mixture, you can also brush your teeth and tongue with the salt to make the treatment more effective.

Poor health

Poor health can also cause white tongue. As we’ve mentioned, this can also be a symptom of other illnesses and infections. If you don’t take care of your health, you’re more likely to suffer from the condition. Poor health can be easily solved by eating healthy food. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet to stay healthy. You can also eat sugar-free yogurt daily which contains probiotics. Finally, also drink the right fluids to accompany your healthy food choices.