What is white tongue?
White tongue: It is a harmless condition in which the tongue appears white due to the presence of a thick white layer on the outside of the tongue. The person with this condition suffers from irritation, redness and bad breath, in addition to the appearance of the tongue is inappropriate.
What are the symptoms of white tongue?
Due to the high bumps on the surface of the tongue "papillae", they create a large space for food residues, microorganisms, plaque and bacteria to collect inside the mouth, and this accumulation causes bad breath and can leave a bad taste in the mouth, and the white tongue can also lead to poor gum health. Causing gum disease.
What are the causes of white tongue?
Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes that cause white tongue, as due to lack of oral hygiene, germs, bacteria and food residues can get trapped inside the papillae on the tongue, causing them to swell and stomatitis, and with the accumulation of these particles the tongue appears white. Oral and hygiene problems that can lead to a white tongue include:
Dry mouth caused by mouth breathing or sleeping with the mouth open.
Not cleaning the tongue.
Failure to brush or floss teeth properly.
Irritation from sharp edges inside the mouth such as teeth, braces or dentures.
Drink alcohol frequently.
Smoking or chewing tobacco.
Maintaining oral hygiene is essential for everyone, but there are some cases that cause white tongue even in people who take care of their mouths, and these reasons include the following:
1. Oral lichen planus:
Oral lichen planus: It is a condition in which the mouth is chronically inflamed and is long-lasting, and it is a condition resulting from a disorder that occurs in the body's immune system as it defends against germs.
2. Leukoplakia:
Leukoplakia: It is a common condition caused by an overgrowth of cells in the lining of the mouth, where these cells combine with the keratin protein found in the hair to form a white membrane layer on the surface of the tongue, in many cases the cause of a person with leukoplakia is by drinking excessive alcohol or smoking tobacco, but Sometimes the condition has no apparent cause, and leukoplakia is not usually a serious issue but sometimes it may turn into oral cancer years after it first appears.
3. Geographical tongue:
This condition occurs during the growth of the tongue's skin, where large parts of the upper layer of the tongue shed very quickly, causing thin red areas that become infected often, while other parts of the tongue remain for a long time and do not regenerate and turn white.
4. Oral thrush:
Oral thrush: It is an infection in the mouth caused by Candida yeast and fungi. Although Candida yeast is usually found inside the mouth, it causes problems in the mouth when it grows excessively.
Other causes of white tongue:
Rare and serious cases may sometimes lead to the appearance of white spots on the tongue, as mouth or tongue cancer may cause the whites of the tongue, and other oral conditions may exacerbate symptoms as well, and the underlying chronic inflammatory disorders affect the tongue, causing its whiteness.
Who are the people most at risk of getting white tongue?
People are more likely to develop white tongue in the following cases:
Having diabetes.
Use of antibiotics that cause a fungal infection inside the mouth.
A diet deficient in fruits and vegetables (iron or vitamin B12).
Weak immune system.
Wearing dentures.
Poor oral hygiene.
Breathe through the mouth.
Dry mouth caused by taking muscle relaxant medications.
Smoking or chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol excessively.
Undergo cancer treatments.
Hypothyroidism.
Ways to prevent white tongue:
The whiteness of the tongue can be avoided by maintaining continuous and correct oral hygiene, as you must brush the teeth at least twice a day, with the need to use dental floss as well, in addition to cleaning the teeth periodically in the dentist’s office every six months.
Also, make sure to eat healthy food with a good mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, if the reason for the whiteness of the tongue is alcohol and tobacco, and you must quit or reduce them, and you must schedule regular follow-up visits with the dentist, in order to help ensure that the white spot does not grow. Or it becomes cancerous.
The dentist can also help the patient find out if he has an allergy to food or drink, and help him find medications that are suitable for him.
White tongue treatment:
There may be no need to treat the whites of the tongue because it is a temporary condition that resolves on its own within a few weeks, but the person may resort to treatment of whites of the tongue if it lasts for longer than that, or if the person wants to get rid of it sooner. Treatments for common white tongue symptoms include:
1. Hairy tongue:
Hairy tongue is not treated directly, as the weakened immune system is treated, and the doctor rarely prescribes antiviral drugs such as valacyclovir or famciclovir, or it may be treated with a treatment (such as podophylline resin or retinoic acid) that is applied directly to the white spot.
2. Oral lichen planus:
Oral lichen planus treatment may not be needed, but sometimes it can persist in the mouth for several years, in which case a doctor may prescribe steroid mouthwashes (steroid tablets dissolved in water) and steroid sprays that can reduce discomfort from associated symptoms. For this condition such as heartburn or gingivitis.
3. Oral thrush:
If a person suffers from the presence of fungi inside the mouth, in this case the doctor prescribes anti-fungal medicines such as Diflucan, which is in the form of pills, gels or liquids that you can put on the spots inside the mouth, and the treatment period usually takes a week or two.
4. Geographical tongue:
There are no special treatments for the presence of white spots on the tongue, which is called geographic tongue because in this case the tongue looks like a diagram like a map, any food or drink that causes discomfort can be avoided, and also topical applications used in the treatment of oral thrush can give a person some relief from any discomfort He might feel it
When to see a doctor?
If the whites of the tongue does not disappear after a few weeks, the person must see a dentist, to examine the tongue and make sure that there is pain in the tongue while eating or talking, and the person must also make an appointment if he suffers from a weak immune system or HIV.
