Table of contents:
- Various causes of white tongue
- 1. Poor oral and dental hygiene
- 2. Oral related problems
- 3. Leukoplakia
- 4. Lichen planus
- 5. Oral thrush
- 6. Syphilis
- 7. Other causes
In general, the tongue does have a thin, grayish white coating. This is not a condition to worry too much about because it is not dangerous. However, in some cases, the appearance of a white tongue can indicate a more serious health problem. Here are a variety of possible causes of tongue turning white, from the trivial ones to the ones that should be taken to the doctor.
Various causes of white tongue
1. Poor oral and dental hygiene
The most common cause of white tongue is poor oral hygiene. The surface of the tongue is covered with small bumps of papillae covered with mucous membranes. When you rarely brush your teeth and / or rub your tongue, food debris can get trapped between the papillae and accumulate with dead skin cells, forming a whitish plaque on the surface of the tongue. This white tongue plaque is then eaten away by the bacteria in the mouth as a food ingredient. Over time, papillae can become inflamed and swollen because of it.
2. Oral related problems
Your tongue can turn white as a result of several problems related to oral health, such as:
- Dry mouth
- Dehydration
- Irritation due to braces or dentures
- Fever
- Smoke
- Drinking alcohol
- Eat more soft foods
- Medicines, such as antibiotics, which can cause a yeast infection in your mouth.
In addition, the habit of breathing through the mouth can also cause the tongue to turn white due to dry mouth conditions.
3. Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia causes white patches to appear on the inner cheeks, gums, mouth and sometimes on the tongue. Leukoplakia is often owned by smokers or people who chew tobacco. In addition, alcohol dependence or inflammation and irritation from dentures can also cause this condition.
White patches of leukoplakia are usually harmless, but in rare cases, they can develop into cancer.
4. Lichen planus
Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can affect the mouth and cause thick white patches on the mouth and tongue. In addition, your gums may feel sore and have sores along the lining of your mouth.
This condition is caused due to a problem with the immune system. Immune cells, which normally protect the body by destroying bacteria or viruses, begin to attack healthy skin cells or the lining of the mouth.
5. Oral thrush
Oral thrush or oral thrush infection is an infection caused by a fungus Candida. This condition causes white patches on the mouth and tongue.
People who have diabetes, a weak immune system from conditions such as HIV / AIDS, lack of iron or B vitamins, or if wearing dentures are more at risk of developing oral thrush.
6. Syphilis
Syphilis is a venereal disease caused by bacteria and can cause a white tongue symptom called syphilis leukoplakia.
7. Other causes
Rare but sometimes serious conditions that can cause a white tongue include:
- Cancer of the mouth or tongue can cause a white tongue, and other oral conditions can also make symptoms worse.
- Chronic inflammatory disorders that can affect the tongue.
