What Is a White Tongue?
A white tongue is a term used to describe a tongue that has a white to grayish coat on it. The coating may be seen along the entire tongue surface or appear in patches. It is usually a harmless condition. However, very rarely, it may suggest a serious condition like an infection or cancer. Hence, it is always recommended to look for other associated symptoms and take an opinion from the doctor if the coating remains the same or gets exaggerated in a couple of weeks.
What Are the Causes of White Tongue?
White tongue can occur for many reasons, and the treatment also varies accordingly. The common causes of a white tongue are,
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Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common reasons for a white tongue and is often related to inadequate brushing and flossing. The tongue has tiny bumps called papillae that can become swollen and inflamed when the bacteria, fungi, dirt, food, or dead cells get trapped.
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Breathing through the mouth.
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Dehydration.
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Eating a lot of soft foods.
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Chronic irritation due to sharp edges of the teeth or dental restorations.
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Wearing ill-fitting dentures.
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Fever.
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Eating a soft diet or mashed foods mostly.
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Smoking or chewing tobacco.
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Alcohol use.
What Are the Conditions Associated With White Tongue?
Some conditions associated with white tongue include,
Leukoplakia is a condition in which there are one or more white patches or spotty lesions on the inner surface of the mouth. It is due to the overgrowth of the cells that line the mouth. They combine with protein keratin to form a raised white patch on the tongue. It is due to chronic irritation because of smoking tobacco in most cases. Sometimes, there is no apparent cause. However, it is a potentially malignant disease (can turn into cancer years later or even after a decade from when it first showed up). The white or grayish patch cannot be scrapped from the surface, unlike the thrush of candidiasis.
Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mouth condition of the mucous membrane of the mouth. The exact cause is unknown, but research reveals an autoimmune disorder. They appear as white and lacy patches with swollen, red tissues and open ulcers. They are painful and cause burning sensations and discomfort in the patient. This is also a precancerous condition (it has the potential to develop into cancer).
Oral thrush is caused by Candida albicans, a common fungal inhabitant of various body parts, including the oral cavity, throat, and vagina. It does cause problems in normal people. However, it is seen more widely in children and adults with weakened immune systems.
Syphilis can cause a small painless sore or ulcer on the tongue after exposure to the infection. It is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. If left untreated, it may lead to white plaques on the tongue, known as syphilitic leukoplakia. These symptoms typically arise 10 to 90 days after a person comes into contact with the bacteria.
What Are the Other Symptoms Associated With White Patches of the Tongue?
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The increased surface area due to the ridges on the tongue can harbor debris and micro-organism. This can result in halitosis (foul smell), and the tongue may have a bad taste.
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It can also lead to poor gum health.
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Hairy tongue.
Who Is At Risk for White Tongue?
Some health issues, substances, and habits can leave you at an increased risk of getting a white tongue which may include,
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Age factor, very young or very old due to weakened immune system.
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Taking antibiotic medications.
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Eating a less nutritious diet deficient in fruits and vegetables rich in iron and vitamin B12.
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Maintaining poor oral hygiene.
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Chronic exposure to sharp tooth surfaces or objects.
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Having a dry mouth or being dehydrated.
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Smoking or chewing tobacco.
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Undergoing cancer treatment.
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Having hypothyroidism which results in poor metabolism.
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Mouth breathing.
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It is also seen in individuals undergoing tongue piercings.
What Is the Treatment for White Tongue?
In most instances, the white tongue may not need any treatment. The symptoms often settle on their own. But you may need to take an opinion with your doctor if it does not go away in two weeks or you have more severe symptoms like-
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Painful tongue.
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Open sores in the mouth.
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Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or talking.
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Other symptoms like fever, weight loss, or skin rash.
The treatment is given according to the underlying condition causing the white tongue, and it varies in each case.
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Leukoplakia and lichen planus do not need any treatment. However, a regular visit to the dentist may be necessary to ensure the condition is not getting worse. Other than that, it is advisable to stop smoking or reduce the amount of alcohol intake.
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Oral thrush is treated with antifungal medications. They may come in a gel, lozenge, or pill.
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Syphilis is treated with a single dose of penicillin. People allergic to syphilis are prescribed different antibiotics.
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Reducing the irritants in the mouth, such as sharp teeth or exposure to sharp instruments, may also help clear up the white patches.
How Can We Prevent White Tongue?
We cannot always avoid getting a white tongue, but basic oral hygiene can help prevent many cases.
Some of them are,
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Brushing in the morning and night and flossing regularly.
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Using a tongue scraper or brushing the tongue with a toothbrush.
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Certain lifestyle choices like eating a nutritious diet, avoiding alcohol, and using tobacco products.
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Use a soft-bristled brush and a fluoridated mouthwash daily.
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Additionally, a visit to the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning may be helpful.
Conclusion
Bumps, patches, and spots in the mouth are usually harmless, even if they are distressing to see. However, some of them can give you clues about underlying health conditions that may need immediate attention. It is always good to know about these conditions, and when they last more than two weeks, you can consult an online doctor or visit your family physician to have a check on these conditions.
