Here’s why you might be getting that white film on your tongue

Which natural treatment options should one opt for when treating white tongue?

Mansi Kohli | Published: January 30, 2018 1:38 pm

Did you know that overgrowth and swelling of the finger like projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue is the main cause for white tongue? Dr. Sravya C Tipirneni, Consultant Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, Columbia Asia Hospital – Whitefield will decipher for us the causes, symptoms and treatment options of getting rid of white tongue.
Causes of a white furry tongue: Debris, bacteria and dead cells are lodged between the enlarged inflamed papillae of which a white coating is formed.
Most common causes of white tongue are:
• Poor oral hygiene
• Dry mouth
• Dehydration
• Smoking or other oral tobacco use
• Alcohol (excessive)
• Mouth breathing
• Low roughage diet (eating mostly soft or mashed foods)
• Mechanical irritation from sharp tooth edges or dental appliances
• Fever

These varied healthy conditions might be linked with white tongue:
• Candida infection elsewhere, eg in an infant, napkin dermatitis
• Dry mouth due to disease of the salivary glands or medications
• Dentures, especially if they are not regularly cleaned or fit badly
• Injury to the mouth
• Broad spectrum antibiotics
• Nutritional deficiency, eg iron and/or B-vitamin deficiency
• White patches associated with a sore throat / tonsillitis can be a sign of strep throat, however it requires medical test

Which natural treatment options should one opt for when treating white tongue?
Natural treatment to be opted for in treating white tongue is to practice good oral hygiene.
Lifestyle habits you should adopt to avoid white tongue:
• White tongue can be avoided by brushing teeth regularly.
• Using saline mouth wash and antiseptic mouth washes should be avoided as they alter the flora of the mouth.
• If using topical steroid for asthma, make it a point to rinse mouth after inhalation.
• Denture wearers should clean dentures with an anti-candid preparation, such as 1% sodium hypochlorite solution and remove dentures at night.
What is a healthy tongue supposed to look like? A healthy tongue looks Pink, with Papillae (Tiny projections)

Image source: Shutterstock

Published: January 30, 2018 1:38 pm

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