Do you have a white tongue?

| Has your tongue gone from the usual pink color to a whitish color? You may have a suburral tongue. Find out what exactly it is and if it is a problem?

White tongue or coated tongue is a medical term that describes the presence of a yellowish-white layer on the lingual surface. This layer is made up of dead cells, food debris and bacteria.

The presence of this thin layer is normal, especially if there is no proper oral hygiene, and it is not considered a disease, nor does it have serious consequences for health, beyond the bad appearance. Of course, the coated tongue is usually accompanied by bad breath. Therefore, if a thin layer appears occasionally, can be easily removed with a of tongue.

Can it be associated with other types of diseases?

A healthy tongue should have pink in color and moist and shiny, but there are some diseases that cause the tongue to appear white. In principle, the physical examination is enough to establish the difference by the doctor, the most frequent include:

• Oral yeast infection
• Lichen planus
• Inflammation of the tongue due to various causes such as infections, toxins, burns, gastric or liver diseases
• Sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis)
• Pre-cancerous situation: oral leukoplakia

Although, the context of the patient also helps to establish the diagnosis since in most cases it is accompanied by other symptoms. In case of suspicion of any disease, the general practitioner can refer you to the relevant specialist.

How to carry out good oral hygiene?

• Brush the tongue daily as part of the routine.
• and care by the dentist.
• Healthy diet (low in sugar), avoid tobacco, drink water regularly.
• Home remedies such as: take lemon juice, probiotics, foods rich in fiber or gargle with aloe vera.

• When the tongue changes from having its usual pinkish color to whitish, we speak of a coated tongue.
• It is not considered a disease but rather a consequence of poor hygiene and has no serious consequences, except for bad breath (halitosis).
• If there is another cause of a change in the color of the tongue, it will no longer be a coated tongue, and the underlying disease should be treated.

Intensive Medicine Specialist