There are many possible causes for white tongue, and in some cases, it comes with an unpleasant odor and mouth dryness. To get rid of it, sometimes you just need to brush your teeth. But what should you do if that doesn’t help?
❗ This article is for informative purposes only and can’t replace the advice of a specialist.
What white tongue is
The white film may cover the entire tongue, part of it, or appear as spots. At the same time, an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth may appear. It looks as if there are small white hairs on the tongue’s surface. In fact, they are buds covered with organic particles, bacteria, and dead cells.
White plaque on the tongue (which can also be yellow) may appear for different reasons, like due to irritation or because of an infection. It usually disappears after several days. If the situation doesn’t change for several weeks, and it’s painful to eat and talk, it’s best to see a doctor.
It’s important to note that the plaque may not only be white. While a pink tongue is normal, a brown tongue means the person drinks too much coffee or tea. A yellow tongue means there’s something wrong with the liver, and a red tongue is a sign that the person lacks vitamin B.
Why the tongue becomes white
Usually, the tongue becomes white due to bacteria, leftover bits of food, or dead cells that get stuck in between the buds. Because of this, the buds may increase in size or become inflamed. This is how white spots on the tongue’s surface appear.
Sometimes, the plaque appears due to an illness. For example, the geographic tongue is also a condition where white spots appear on the tongue. It’s quite rare, and the causes are unknown, but the condition itself is often connected to eating foods that irritate the tongue. It may also be a reaction to stress, an illness, or hormonal changes.
Why white plaque appears on the tongue
There are some things that make the appearance of white plaque on the tongue more probable:
- Age
- Taking antibiotics (white-yellow plaque appearing when there’s a fungal infection in the mouth)
- A diet that’s lacking enough fruits, vegetables, vitamin B12, and iron
- A weak immune system
- Bad mouth hygiene
- Dental prosthetics or other objects that can damage the tongue
- Dehydration and mouth dryness
What piercings have to do with white tongue
Right after piercing the tongue, there might be some white film present. This happens because the number of bacteria on the tongue increases, and it’s normal. Antibacterial mouthwash will help you get rid of it. Plus, there might be a ring around the piercings, which is normal too, and it means the tissue is healing.
If the plaque appears due to an injury (including piercings), the healing should take around 1.5 weeks. You should avoid irritants, such as hot, spicy, or sour foods and drinks.
How to get rid of white tongue at home
- Practice good mouth hygiene.
- Drink enough water.
- Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush.
- Use a mild fluoride toothpaste — one that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Use fluoride mouthwash.
- Brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to remove the white coating.
- Drink cold drinks through a straw.
- Avoid food and drinks that are spicy, salty, acidic, or very hot in temperature.
Who to talk to if you’re worried about your white tongue
- Your dentist can help you remove the white film from the tongue and prescribe medications if needed.
- Your GP can diagnose the tongue, prescribe you certain medications and determine if the white tongue is an indicator of a more serious issue.
What do you do about white tongue?
Preview photo credit Genusfotografen (genusfotografen.se) & Wikimedia Sverige (wikimedia.se) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Martanopue / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dаd & Dаughtеr Rесrеаtе Нigh Sсhооl Grаd Рhоtо Аftеr 18 Yеаrs – Реорlе Lооk Сlоsеr Аnd Sроt А Dеtаil Тhеy Саn’t Lеt Gо
As a parent, seeing your child graduate from high school or college is one of the most memorable events in your life.
People who have been through it will remember the pride and unbridled joy that come from seeing your not-so-little one finish a part of their life they worked so hard to complete.
Dennis Roach, a dad from Texas, must have felt ten times better in 2018 because his daughter’s high school graduation gave him the chance to take a picture from 2000 all over again, and the result made people all over the world smile…
Dennis finished high school in 2000, and he was lucky to have his toddler daughter Tori with him for the party.
At the time, they posed for a picture, and Dennis kissed his little girl. It was the right way to remember his big day.
In 2018, Tori Roach was the one who marked the occasion of her high school graduation.
Dennis was, of course, there to celebrate the occasion, and he and the other person had the great idea to take a new picture of the two of them from eighteen years ago.
In the new story, Tori lay in her dad’s arms and got a kiss on the face again.
People on Twitter loved the pictures she posted of the pictures from 2000 and 2018. No one could have predicted how well it would be received.
“18 years later,” Tori wrote under her picture. It quickly went global, getting 57,000 reposts and almost 150,000 likеs.
In the comments section, many people were happy to see the picture.
“Ugh this is just the sweetest,” one person wrote.
Another added: “One of the best pictures I have seen … I wish you and your family the best of luck.”
“Wow lovely…” a third said.
But the feature that a lot of people saw and couldn’t help but comment on was probably the most interesting thing about the two pictures.
One thing that stood out was that Tori’s dad, Dennis, didn’t look likе he had aged at all between the two pictures.
“How old is your father,” mused one person. “He looks ageless.”
“I think you froze your father until you grow up,” another joked.
“Damn did you dad age any?” a third quipped.
Tori couldn’t believe how many people were interested in her post.
She later had to explain that her dad, who was 37 years old when she graduated from high school, wasn’t single.
She also talked to People about Dennis’s pride.
“I woke up and I had a ton of notifications. People had started sharing and liking and commenting all over again. My dad was really proud. We’re from a small town, so nothing likе this really ever happens. And he was likе, ‘That’s so cool!’”
She added, “It brought me and my dad closer in a way because we could shаrе that moment, and I feel that not many other people get to experience that.”
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