White tongue – What causes it, how does it look, and how to get rid of a white coating on the tongue

White tongue or coated tongue is a condition in which the tongue’s surface is covered by a white coating, mainly composed of bacteria and food debris that accumulate between the papillae.

This can cause an unpleasant sensation in the mouth and make you feel uncomfortable but the white tongue is harmless and will go away on its own in a couple of weeks.

White tongue causes

The main coated tongue cause is inflammation of the papillae, the small structures on the tongue surface that allow us to perceive different flavors. 

When the papillae get inflamed their surface grows up and this makes it easier for bacteria to accumulate in the area, causing the white coating to appear.

Papillae could get inflamed for the following reasons:

  • Poor oral hygiene.
  • Fever.
  • Dehydration.
  • Alcohol consumption.
  • Xerostomia (dry mouth).
  • Smoking.
  • Mouth breathing.
  • Irritation caused by aggressive brushing.
  • Mechanical damage caused by dental appliances.

Symptoms of coated tongue

The coated tongue doesn’t cause any symptoms besides an uncomfortable sensation in the mouth and a whitish appearance.

Suppose you are experiencing other symptoms such as a burning sensation, difficulty when eating, or any kind of pain. In that case, you should visit your dentist since there are plenty of other conditions that might look just like a coated tongue.

Similar conditions

Coated tongue treatment

It doesn’t require treatment, the white coating will disappear on its own in a few days, but if you want to get rid of the white tongue faster you should be able to remove the coating with a toothbrush or with a tongue scraper since it is caused by bacteria accumulation.

Medication for white tongue

A white tongue caused by bacteria and debris doesn’t require any medication, please don’t use antibiotics or antifungals for a white tongue since using this medication when it is not needed could cause an imbalance in the mouth’s normal microbiota.

Home remedies for white tongue

The best way to get rid of the white tongue at home is to keep a regular and effective oral hygiene routine, this includes brushing and rinsing, but it is also advisable to include tongue scrapers in your routine, or at least, to brush your tongue with your toothbrush. 

Frequent Q&A

Antibiotics can cause white tongue?

Yes, but not because of bacteria accumulation but because of a yeast infection caused by the overgrowth of candida albicans. This only happens when the antibiotic treatment is too long and affects the microbiota balance.  

Acid reflux can cause tongue coating?

Yes, acid reflux can cause some oral health problems like bad breath, tooth erosion, and coated tongue since the constant presence of reflux in the oral cavity can cause inflammation of the papillae.  

Is alcohol consumption related to white tongue?

Yes, alcohol has a drying effect on the oral mucosa and by causing dehydration it can cause the tongue to turn white.

Does anxiety cause a white tongue?

Yes, sometimes anxiety and prolonged stress can cause alterations in the tongue, like numbness, tingling, and coated tongue. 

References