When it comes to coated tongue, the symptoms can range in severity. Generally speaking, you may experience a discolored coating on your tongue that is either white, yellow or brown. In some cases, this layer might feel thick and furry when you run your tongue across it. Your breath may also start to smell worse than usual due to bacteria buildup. Additionally, bad taste in the mouth and difficulty tasting food are common occurrences too.
A coated tongue (also known as white tongue) is a symptom that causes your tongue to appear to have a white coating. This coating is comprised of food debris, dead cells, and bacteria. A coated tongue can be a sign of an underlying health problem, so it’s important to speak with your doctor if you believe this symptom may affect you.
Although not dangerous in itself, a coated tongue can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. With good oral hygiene habits, however, it won’t last for long.
Only in rare cases is tongue coating a sign of serious illness.
- I have clearly summarized all the necessary information in this article.
- Here you can read how tongue coating develops in the first place and what you can do if you notice it.
Hopefully, the following table of contents will help you quickly find the answers you’re interested in:
As you can see, the topic of tongue coating is very extensive. I sincerely hope that I can answer all your questions in the following text:
What you should know about your tongue
Before I go into the different types of tongue coating, let me briefly summarize some important information about our tongue
A coated tongue is nothing to be ashamed of – it often has natural causes and in many cases can be treated with a few simple measures.
The tongue is a muscle that performs several essential functions in the mouth:
- It helps move food around in the oral cavity
- Through the tongue, food is covered with saliva
- It is only thanks to the tongue that you are able to speak
- On the tongue are the taste receptors
The surface of the tongue is relatively rough. Food debris, bacteria and cellular debris are deposited here and, together with saliva, form a natural coating.
Tooth brushing, tongue cleaners and rinsing the mouth with mouthwash or mouthwash usually wear away this coating several times a day.
And then the whole cycle begins again: by eating solid foods, he then slowly re-forms the coating – so a certain amount of buildup is only natural.
Diet has a great influence on the natural coating of the tongue.
Summarizing the most important: A coated tongue is absolutely natural in many cases, and its condition depends on your lifestyle (e.g., what foods you eat).
What are the types of tongue coating?
As you will see, there are very many different types of coatings that can form on your tongue.
Most of them are harmless and can vary significantly – depending on what you eat and drink:
- Smokers, for example, often have a yellowish colored tongue coating due to nicotine.
- Drinking coffee or tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, can also affect the coating on the tongue.
- Surely you also know the feeling of a “furry tongue” after an evening of alcoholic beverages.
The color of your tongue is a good & simple tool to determine the type of tongue coating. Below is an overview:
White tongue coating
A whitish-gray tongue coating is relatively common.
- Milk and yogurt can cause this, but so can normal deposits from other foods.
- In particular, colds and fever also often cause a white coating on the tongue.
- There is also a fungal disease (Candida albicnas), which can also be responsible for a white coating on the tongue.
These are characterized by the fact that the tongue itself turns blood red and the white coating is easy to scrape off. In addition, this coating is also found on the gums.
Another cause of white coating on the tongue is iron deficiency. In this case, the tongue looks – as if it has lost its color.
Especially older & pregnant women often suffer from iron deficiency – which can lead to more coating on the tongue.
Yellow tongue coating
When there is a yellowish coating on the tongue, most people think directly of jaundice.
However, other less serious liver (or bile) disorders can also cause this coating.
- Almost always, the digestive tract is responsible for a yellowish tongue coating.
- In smokers, nicotine deposits also cause yellowish tongue coating
Recommendation: If you (as a non-smoker) have a yellow tongue coating you should see your doctor immediately.
Red tongue coating
The natural color of the tongue is pinkish flesh. If the tongue is very red, inflammation is often present. Possible conditions associated with a red tongue include:
- Scarlatina – the papillae on the tongue show up large and red
- Anemia – in this anemia, the tongue turns red and burns
- Glossitis – bacteria or viruses can cause this inflammation
- Kawasaki syndrome – a vascular inflammation found in young children
RECommendation: You should also see your doctor immediately if you have a red coating on your tongue or a reddish inflamed tongue, as a precaution.
Look very closely at red coated tongues: the reason may be dangerous diseases.
But: there are foods and coloring agents in foods that can cause red tongue.
Some typical examples are beet or strawberry candy. Always ask a person who exhibits red tongue first about what they last ate.
Brown tongue coating
One of the most common causes of a brownish coating on the tongue is the use of (medicated) mouthwashes over a long period of time.
Some medicated mouthwashes make for coated tongues.
The chlorhexidine in mouthwashes can discolor the mucous membranes of the tongue.
Damage to the kidneys can also cause brownish tongue coatings.
Note: In this article you will find a comprehensive overview of different variants: Mouthwashes in the test.
Black tongue coating
The natural tongue coating can turn black if you drink coffee or smoke heavily.
Smokers are particularly often affected by black or dark discolored tongues.
The actually harmless condition “black hair tongue” causes growth of the tongue papillae and a furry feeling on the tongue.
This condition is more common in men than in women.
Test: Can you remove your tongue coating?
When assigning the tongue coating, it is usually important to know whether it can be stripped off or is firmly attached to the tongue.
You can use a flat and non-sharp plastic object (such as a tongue cleaner) to check for yourself whether the coating on your tongue can be removed by light scraping.
Tongue cleaners reliably remove most plaque.
Fact: Strippable tongue coatings are usually discolored forms of the natural tongue coating. Solid tongue coatings and discoloration, on the other hand, are more indicative of inflammation or disease.
When to see a doctor for a coated tongue
Because a coated tongue is a completely natural thing, it is usually not necessary to see a doctor directly.
Only if any of the following alarm signals occur should you be examined by your doctor immediately:
- Yellow tongue coating in nonsmokers
- Red discolored tongue
- Fever and feeling sick
It is important to monitor the coating on your tongue: If it increases and additional symptoms of illness appear, it is likely that inflammation or disease is present.
TIP: When in doubt, an appointment with your family doctor – if he or she is more easily accessible than your dentist, is also sufficient.
How does my doctor treat an occupied tongue?
During treatment, your doctor will first review your medical history. The rest of the procedure then usually looks like this:
- He then examines what type of tongue coating is present. Often, a blood test is ordered to directly diagnose inflammation and other conditions.
- If there are previous problems with the kidneys or gall bladder, this may be the cause of the tongue coating. Fungal infections can be detected by the doctor by swabbing.
Depending on the findings, your doctor will explain further treatment.
What you can do yourself if you have an occupied tongue
Since a coated tongue is very uncomfortable, there are some simple steps you can take to remove a coating from your tongue that is not caused by disease:
- Rinse the roof of your mouth with water or a mouth solution
- Chew some crusty bread or eat an apple
- Brush your teeth thoroughly, including the surface of your tongue
Through these simple and quick steps, you can remove tongue coating. Accompanying, unpleasant side effects such as a furry feeling or bad breath you reduce so also.
Tip: Modern toothbrushes such as the Oral-B Genius or the Sonicare DiamondClean have their own mode for cleaning the tongue.
Aids you can use for tongue plaque
You can find various products at the pharmacy or online that you can use to get rid of the coating on your tongue
- Tongue scraper: These scrapers made of plastic * help to remove the coating on the tongue. Scrape without applying much pressure, with light movements, several times over the tongue. As an alternative, you can also use a normal tablespoon.
- Tongue cleaner: Special tongue cleaners consist of a brush and a scraper. With the brush, the tongue coating is rubbed, with the scraper then removed.
- Mouthwashes: Medical mouthwashes help to rid the oral cavity of bacteria and prevent deposits on the tongue and teeth. Be sure to follow the instructions for use of the mouthwash and not to use it too often.
Other home remedies for tongue coating
There are also some home remedies that you can use for a coated tongue. Basically, anything that reduces the growth of bacteria in the mouth will help,
for example.
- Rinse the mouth with warm saltwater
- Multi-minute oil pulling with antibacterial coconut oil
- Rinse the mouth with baking soda dissolved in water
You can do all of these in addition to regular brushing – but the most important thing is to reach for your brush regularly:
Thorough oral hygiene avoids tongue plaque
Regular and intensive cleaning of the teeth and oral cavity are the best means of preventing tongue plaque and deposits on the teeth.
In addition to using a regular toothbrush, the following will also help you with your oral hygiene:
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- sonic
- toothbrushes, oral irrigators and the right toothpaste
- Regular cleaning of the interdental spaces
As a general rule, you should always clean your teeth, gums and tongue thoroughly after every meal and especially before going to bed.
This not only helps with occupied tongues but also prevents gingivitis, discoloration, periodontal disease, cavities & rotten teeth.
More tips for healthy & white teeth can be found in the general guides on dental care.
Special cases that can additionally be responsible for a change in the tongue
In addition to the described tongue coatings, there are also some special cases that can affect the appearance and texture of the tongue
Here I have summarized for you some of these (rather rare) special cases:
- Folded tongue: genetically, some people have deeper folds in their tongue. These facilitate the deposition of food debris and bacteria and can lead to increased tongue coating
- Map tongue: here papillae of the tongue are temporarily lost and affect the appearance of the surface of the tongue. This shows reddish with white stripes, similar to a map.
Note: If you are not sure, then please always visit a doctor – he can help you in a personal conversation certainly better than any guide on the Internet.
In conclusion:
I hope this article has helped you answer your questions about coated tongue & tongue coating.
Our website offers them many more articles with interesting facts about oral hygiene and dental care.
- Familiarize yourself with general dental care tips for healthy teeth & start prevention today.
- Here you can learn everything about the right toothbrush & recommended models: Electric toothbrushes in the test.
- Here’s all important info on how to remove discoloration and get white teeth.
- In this section you will find more help for when common dental problems.
Take a few minutes to learn more about your teeth – it’s worth it.
Candida overgrowth as a cause of coated tongue
Candida overgrowth is one of the most common causes of a coated tongue. Candida is a type of fungus that is present in everyone’s body. However, when there is an overgrowth of candida, it leads to various health problems including a coated tongue. Candida overgrowth occurs when the delicate balance of microorganisms in our mouth is disrupted due to factors like poor oral hygiene, an unhealthy diet, or the prolonged use of antibiotics.
A coated tongue is a condition where the tongue appears white or yellow due to the accumulation of debris like dead cells, food particles, and bacteria on the surface of the tongue. When candida overgrowth is the cause of a coated tongue, it is known as oral thrush. Oral thrush is more common in newborns, elderly people, and people who have weakened immune systems. However, anyone can develop oral thrush if they have a weakened immune system or if they engage in activities that disrupt the balance of microorganisms in their mouth.
One of the common symptoms of oral thrush is a persistent bad breath. Other symptoms include pain or discomfort when eating or drinking, difficulty swallowing, and soreness in the mouth. If left untreated, oral thrush can spread to other parts of the body and lead to serious health problems. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat and prevent candida overgrowth and oral thrush. These include maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding highly processed and sugary foods, maintaining a balanced diet, and taking probiotics. In severe cases, medication may be required to treat candida overgrowth.
Candida overgrowth as a cause of coated tongue
Candida overgrowth is one of the most common causes of a coated tongue. Candida is a type of fungus that is present in everyone’s body. However, when there is an overgrowth of candida, it leads to various health problems including a coated tongue. Candida overgrowth occurs when the delicate balance of microorganisms in our mouth is disrupted due to factors like poor oral hygiene, an unhealthy diet, or the prolonged use of antibiotics.
A coated tongue is a condition where the tongue appears white or yellow due to the accumulation of debris like dead cells, food particles, and bacteria on the surface of the tongue. When candida overgrowth is the cause of a coated tongue, it is known as oral thrush. Oral thrush is more common in newborns, elderly people, and people who have weakened immune systems. However, anyone can develop oral thrush if they have a weakened immune system or if they engage in activities that disrupt the balance of microorganisms in their mouth.
One of the common symptoms of oral thrush is a persistent bad breath. Other symptoms include pain or discomfort when eating or drinking, difficulty swallowing, and soreness in the mouth. If left untreated, oral thrush can spread to other parts of the body and lead to serious health problems. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat and prevent candida overgrowth and oral thrush. These include maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding highly processed and sugary foods, maintaining a balanced diet, and taking probiotics. In severe cases, medication may be required to treat candida overgrowth.
Coated tongue and bad breath: understanding the connection
Have you ever experienced the embarrassment of bad breath that just doesn’t seem to go away, no matter how much you brush your teeth? Did you notice a whitish or yellowish coating on your tongue that seems to have developed over time? If yes, then you may be experiencing the symptoms of a coated tongue and bad breath.
A coated tongue is a relatively common condition that occurs when the surface of the tongue becomes covered with a layer of bacteria, food debris, and dead cells. This layer, also referred to as a tongue coating, can appear in different colors, including white, yellow, brown, or black, depending on the cause. Unfortunately, this buildup can result in bad breath, also known as halitosis, as anaerobic bacteria feed on the debris present on the tongue surface and release volatile sulfur compounds, giving off a foul odor.
Several factors can cause a coated tongue, including poor oral hygiene, dehydration, smoking, mouth breathing, and an unhealthy diet. Therefore, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and using a tongue scraper to remove the coating. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding tobacco use can also help reduce the risk of a coated tongue and bad breath. In some cases, a coated tongue may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as an infection or gastrointestinal issue, and it is advisable to consult a doctor in such situations.
In conclusion, a coated tongue and bad breath symptoms may be unpleasant, but they are generally manageable with the proper care and attention. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the connection between these conditions, take preventive measures, and address the underlying cause. By doing so, you can improve your oral health and avoid any associated social discomfort.
Common causes and risk factors of coated tongue
As an enthusiast with expertise in oral health, I strongly believe that keeping your tongue clean and healthy is extremely important. A coated tongue is a condition where your tongue develops a layer of bacterial debris, dead cells, and other types of fungi that give it a white or yellowish coating. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors and can be a strong indicator of poor oral hygiene, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions.
One of the main causes of a coated tongue is poor oral hygiene. If you do not properly clean your tongue regularly or brush your teeth at least twice a day, bacteria and other debris can accumulate and cause the coating. Another common cause of coated tongue is dehydration. When we do not drink enough water, our saliva becomes thick and sticky, which can lead to bacteria buildup on the tongue.
Certain lifestyle choices such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also increase your risk of developing a coated tongue. Tobacco smoke and alcohol can irritate the tongue and cause it to become inflamed, leading to a buildup of bacteria and debris. Additionally, a poor diet that lacks proper nutrition can also increase your risk of developing a coated tongue.
Finally, there are some medical conditions that can cause a coated tongue. These include oral thrush, geographic tongue, and bacterial infections. Certain medications such as antibiotics and steroids can also cause a coated tongue.
In conclusion, a coated tongue is a condition that can be caused by a variety of factors including poor oral hygiene, dehydration, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions. Therefore, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing regularly, drinking enough water, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. If you notice any changes in your tongue, it is always best to consult your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and receive proper treatment.
