White Tongue: Causes, Reasons, and When to Seek Advice A white coating on the tongue can have many possible causes and sometimes comes with dryness of the mouth or an unpleasant odor. In most cases this condition is temporary and harmless, but sometimes it can indicate that more attention to oral health is needed. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. White tongue happens when a layer covers either the entire surface of the tongue or only certain areas, and it may be accompanied by a change in taste or a strange sensation in the mouth.
The coating forms from bacteria, food debris, and dead cells trapped between the papillae, and in many cases it disappears on its own within a few days. The most common reason is buildup of particles between the papillae, but it can also occur after illness, stress, or changes in diet.
Other conditions such as geographic tongue may also cause white or patchy areas, which usually are not serious. Different tongue colors can signal different things: brown tongue is often linked to heavy tea or coffee drinking, yellow tongue may appear after certain foods or medications, and red tongue is sometimes connected to vitamin deficiencies.
After a tongue piercing, a temporary white layer can appear due to increased bacteria during the healing process, which usually goes away in one to two weeks with antibacterial mouthwash and by avoiding hot, spicy, or acidic foods. Home care includes regular brushing of the teeth and tongue, rinsing the mouth with water after meals, staying hydrated, and avoiding smoking, alcohol, or highly irritating foods. If the white coating does not go away after several weeks, causes pain, or makes it difficult to eat and speak, it is advisable to consult a doctor or dentist for proper evaluation and guidance.
Your tongue can look white due to collected debris or due to a health condition like a fungal infection or leukoplakia. Sometimes certain medications or oral cancer can cause white patches in the mouth.
Overview
The sight of a white tongue reflected back at you in your bathroom mirror might look frightening, but this condition is usually harmless. White tongue refers to a white covering or coating on your tongue. Your whole tongue might be white, or you could just have white spots or patches on your tongue.
A white tongue is usually nothing to worry about. But on rare occasions, this symptom can warn of a more serious condition like an infection or early cancer. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your other symptoms, and call your doctor if the white coating doesn’t go away in a couple of weeks.
Keep reading to learn more about why this happens and whether you should treat it.
White tongue is often related to oral hygiene. Your tongue can turn white when the tiny bumps (papillae) that line it swell up and become inflamed.
Bacteria, fungi, dirt, food, and dead cells can all get trapped between the enlarged papillae. This collected debris is what turns your tongue white.
All of these conditions can cause white tongue:
- poor brushing and flossing
- dry mouth
- breathing through your mouth
- dehydration
- eating a lot of soft foods
- irritation, such as from sharp edges on your teeth or dental instruments
- fever
- smoking or chewing tobacco
- alcohol use
Check out: Best practices for healthy teeth »
A few conditions are linked to white tongue, including:
Leukoplakia: This condition causes white patches to form on the inside of your cheeks, along your gums, and sometimes on your tongue. You can get leukoplakia if you smoke or chew tobacco. Excess alcohol use is another cause. The white patches are usually harmless. But in rare cases, leukoplakia can develop into oral cancer.
Oral lichen planus: With this condition, a problem with your immune system causes white patches to form in your mouth and on your tongue. Along with the white tongue, your gums may be sore. You might also have sores along the inside lining of your mouth.
Oral thrush: This is an infection of the mouth caused by Candida yeast. You’re more likely to get oral thrush if you have diabetes, a weakened immune system from a condition like HIV or AIDS, an iron or vitamin B deficiency, or if you wear dentures.
Syphilis: This sexually transmitted infection can cause sores in your mouth. If syphilis isn’t treated, white patches called syphilitic leukoplakia can form on your tongue.