White Tongue Disease & White Tongue Treatment: Know All About It

There could possibly be no person who doesn’t love delicious food. While we prefer eating all the tasty and mouth-watering items out there, most of us forget to take care of the body part which is the main pathway to all the food in our body, that is, our mouth. It is very important to maintain oral hygiene otherwise serious problems could build up in your mouth causing painful and even life-altering diseases. One such problem which occurs is called the white tongue, which is exactly what it sounds like.

So today, we will understand more about this problem in detail and also learn the ways to treat or prevent it from happening in the future.

What Is White Tongue?

When the tiny bumps on your tongue, which are called papillae, swell up and become inflamed, your tongue could turn white. After it inflates and becomes enlarged, bacteria, fungi, food, dirt, and dead cells could get trapped in these and this collected debris is the reason for your tongue turning white.

Why My Tongue Is White? – Causes Of White Tongue

1. Poor brushing and flossing routine

2. Dry mouth

3. Breathing through your mouth

4. Dehydration

5. Eating lots of soft foods

6. Irritation in the mouth

7. Fever

8. Chewing or smoking tobacco

9. Alcohol

Suggested Read: How To Get White Teeth?

Possible Conditions Linked To A White Tongue:

1. Leukoplakia

When white patches form on the insides of your cheeks, along with gums, or even on your tongue, then it is called leukoplakia. These are mostly harmless but in very rare cases, it could also turn into oral cancer. So, it needs to be treated as soon as possible and handled with care.

2. Oral Lichen Planus

It is similar to leukoplakia, but the problem here begins with your immune system, which is the reason for the formation of the white patches, also your gums could become sore.

3. Oral Thrush

It is a mouth infection caused by Candida yeast. You’re more prone to this if you’re diabetic or if you have a weak immune system. Having conditions like HIV or AIDS or deficiency of any kind could also be the reason.

4. Syphilis

It causes sores in your mouth and is basically a sexually transmitted infection. The white tongue treatment related to this disease is also very important or else it can become worse.

5. Mouth Or Tongue Cancer

Having mouth or tongue cancer or the excessive use of medicines could also be the reasons behind the white tongue.

White Tongue Treatment

When Are You Required To Visit Your Doctor?

A white tongue doesn’t necessarily harm you and it goes away on its own after some time, however, if it doesn’t go in about two weeks, then you must seek the help of your doctor. You can also visit the doctor if you are experiencing any of the following:

1. When your tongue or mouth gets sore and feels painful or a burning sensation.

2. You find it harder to chew, swallow or even talk.

3. Having symptoms such as fever, weight loss, skin rash, etc.

White Tongue Treatment & Prevention At Home

If you get a white tongue, then you can easily try removing it away with a tongue scraper and brushing your tongue properly. These are a few preventive measures that you can take to prevent it from happening in the future.

1. Use a soft-bristled brush

2. Use a fluoride toothpaste

3. Brush your teeth twice a day

4. Flossing at least once a day

5. Using tongue scrapers to clean the tongue properly.

6. Avoid tobacco products and even excessive alcohol.

So, this was all you need to know about white tongue and its treatment, along with what causes it in the first place. Even though the problem isn’t too serious one can definitely avoid it by simply taking their oral hygiene seriously and following routines religiously. You can wait and clean for it to go away if it doesn’t then definitely visit your dentist at the earliest. Also, maintain a healthier diet including lots of fruits and vegetables for your mouth.