Tongue: causes, symptoms and solutions

The tongue is the main sensory organ of taste, with major importance in speech, chewing and swallowing. When we talk about oral hygiene, we must also talk about how we care for the tongue. Unfortunately, we don't pay as much attention to it as we do to our teeth, even though it is heavily loaded with food debris, bacteria, fungi, dead cells. Sometimes an unpleasant mouth odor (halitosis) is caused by the tongue.

White coated tongue refers to a white coating on the surface of the tongue, partially or totally. It is not usually serious, but it can be a symptom of a more serious condition: infection or even early oral cancer. It is very important to see your dentist urgently if you have other associated symptoms or if it lasts for more than two weeks.

We need to know what a normal tongue looks like. The normal appearance of the tongue is a pink color, without cracks or spots, soft, moist, without inflamed papillae. 

White tongue can have the following causes:

1. Dental brushing ineffective
2. Dry mouth
3. Dehydration
4. Alcohol, tobacco
5. Eating mostly soft foods: smoothies, smooth purees
6. Oral (mouth) breathing 
7. Fever
8. Dental work of amalgam or metal alloys 
9. Eating spicy foods 
10. Reaction to certain medicines

What diseases indicate a lumpy tongue?

1. Leukoplakia 
2. Oral lichen planus
3. Oral thrush
4. Syphilis 
5. Digestive diseases
6. Autoimmune diseases
7. HIV/AIDS

Treatment for white tongue

Most of the time, white tongue does not require treatment, as it is a symptom that goes away on its own with a rigorous hygiene ritual. But if it does require treatment, it will depend on the condition that caused it. 

With what do you clean your tongue?

Tongue overload can lead to increased bacteraemia in the oral cavity and, thus, to problems with the teeth or gums. To avoid this, it is necessary to follow a few rules:

1. Brushing twice a day
2. Using mouthwash
3. Flossing
4. Using a paste and mouthwash with natural ingredients
5. Use a tongue scraper to remove deposits from the tongue. You can also use a plastic spoon to scrape the surface of the tongue. These accessories are available in several forms. It effectively scrapes the tooth surface from posterior to anterior. 
6. Proper hydration: minimum 1.5 liters per day 
7. The right and balanced diet 
8. Eating cheddar cheese, strawberries, apples, lemon, pineapple can help clear the tongue. 
9. Regular dental check-ups: once every 6 months
10. Eliminating bad habits: smoking, alcohol etc 
11. Treatment of all dental problems : caries, periodontal diseases, prosthetics of edentulous spaces etc.

Other symptoms associated with a swollen tongue that may indicate more serious problems:

1. Burning sensation
2. Rani
3. Speech, swallowing, chewing difficulties
4. Weight loss
5. Skin rash

If in addition to white tongue, you also have one of the above symptoms, contact one of the Life Dental Spa clinics, or make an appointment online right here.