Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesAssociated ConditionsDiagnosisTreatmentSeeking Medical CareFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Associated Conditions
Diagnosis
Treatment
Seeking Medical Care
FAQs
When your tongue turns white, you may be immediately concerned. While a white tongue, otherwise known as a coated tongue, isn’t always something to worry about, there are some rare instances in which a white tongue could alert you to a more serious medical condition.
This article discusses the possible causes, symptoms, and treatment options for a white tongue.
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Symptoms of White Tongue
The main characteristic of white tongue is discoloration. That said, other symptoms may accompany white tongue, depending on the cause. People with white tongue may also experience:
Other symptoms may also develop if an underlying health disorder is present, and those signs will be specific to the cause.
Causes of White Tongue
Common causes of a white tongue include:
There are tiny bumps on thetongueknown as papillae. When these bumps become inflamed or swollen, things such as dead cells, bacteria, or other pathogens and food get trapped on the tongue, resulting in hairy tongue.
That is what changes the coloring of your tongue from its typical shade to white.Injury to the tongue, such as burning it on hot food or liquid, is one way in which the tiny bumps can become inflamed.
The collection of debris that causes the white tongue could also accumulate because of poororal hygiene, such as not brushing, flossing, or gently scraping the tongue correctly or as often as you should.
Alcohol, Smoking, and White TongueWhile drinking alcohol or smoking doesn’t directly cause white tongue, it can increase the risk of developing specific health ailments or conditions that can cause it, such as dehydration or cancer.
Alcohol, Smoking, and White Tongue
While drinking alcohol or smoking doesn’t directly cause white tongue, it can increase the risk of developing specific health ailments or conditions that can cause it, such as dehydration or cancer.
6 Causes of a Sore Tongue and Throat
What Medications Can Cause White Tongue?
Certain medications can cause you to develop a white tongue, including:
How Common is Drug-Induced White Tongue?
Complications and Risk Factors of White Tongue
In rarer cases of white tongue, you may have an underlying health issue. Some health conditions that can cause a white tongue to develop include:
Leukoplakia CausesThe cause of leukoplakia isn’t well known, but it may be due to the following:Chronic irritation or injury from rough teeth or denturesTobacco useA weakened immune system due to certain inflammatory health disordersExcessive and long-term alcohol use
Leukoplakia Causes
The cause of leukoplakia isn’t well known, but it may be due to the following:Chronic irritation or injury from rough teeth or denturesTobacco useA weakened immune system due to certain inflammatory health disordersExcessive and long-term alcohol use
The cause of leukoplakia isn’t well known, but it may be due to the following:
10 Tongue Diseases and Conditions
Are There Tests to Diagnose White Tongue?
There are no specific tests designed to diagnose white tongue. Healthcare providers or dentists will examine the tongue and ask about any other possible symptoms you’re experiencing. They may try a “wait-and-see” approach, which involves giving white tongue the time to clear up on its own.
If it doesn’t clear up or there are other symptoms, they will decide if further testing is needed. Other tests are used to determine if anunderlying health disorderis driving the discoloration of the tongue. Since there are several causes associated with white tongue, the tests will vary significantly. They could include:
How to Treat White Tongue
In many cases, you will not have to treat white tongue because it is harmless and will go away on its own with time and good oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth at least twice daily and cleaning between your teeth daily.
Drinking lots of water to avoid dehydration anddry mouthmay speed up the process, as could using asoft tongue scraperto gently scrape the white coating off of your tongue.
For conditions that cause white tongue, different treatment options are used, such as:
Treating the Cause of White TongueSince white tongue has many causes, finding the proper treatment will come after a diagnosis from your healthcare provider.
Treating the Cause of White Tongue
Since white tongue has many causes, finding the proper treatment will come after a diagnosis from your healthcare provider.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Having a white tongue without any other symptoms typically isn’t something to worry about. However, if you experience any other signs that something may be wrong, you should contact your medical provider.
Other signs along with a white tongue that warrant a trip to your medical provider include:
How Long to Wait to See a Healthcare Provider for White TongueThe time you wait between noticing the white tongue and seeing a healthcare provider is entirely up to you and what other symptoms are present. If your white tongue does not clear up within two weeks of practicing good oral hygiene, you should make an appointment with a healthcare provider.
How Long to Wait to See a Healthcare Provider for White Tongue
The time you wait between noticing the white tongue and seeing a healthcare provider is entirely up to you and what other symptoms are present. If your white tongue does not clear up within two weeks of practicing good oral hygiene, you should make an appointment with a healthcare provider.
What Can Cause White Spots in the Mouth?
Summary
Because there are several medical causes of white tongue, seeing a medical provider if it doesn’t clear up on its own will give you a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMany things can cause a white tongue. For example, dehydration and poor oral hygiene can lead to a build-up of bacteria and other tongue debris, leading to a white-colored coating. In rarer cases, medical conditions such as syphilis, oral thrush, or leukoplakia can be the cause.Learn MoreWhen Your Tongue Turns White: Could it Be Thrush or Something Else Entirely?Not usually. Iin most cases, having a white tongue does not signal that you have something more serious. That said, some conditions that cause white tongue require treatment. The most serious health condition is cancer, but that is rare.Learn MoreEarly Tongue Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and ComplicationsThe treatment of white tongue depends on the cause. In many cases, it will clear up on its own. If a health condition is causing the white tongue, the condition itself will be treated, which will remedy the symptom.Learn MoreWhite Patches on Tongue: Causes and When to See a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Many things can cause a white tongue. For example, dehydration and poor oral hygiene can lead to a build-up of bacteria and other tongue debris, leading to a white-colored coating. In rarer cases, medical conditions such as syphilis, oral thrush, or leukoplakia can be the cause.Learn MoreWhen Your Tongue Turns White: Could it Be Thrush or Something Else Entirely?
Many things can cause a white tongue. For example, dehydration and poor oral hygiene can lead to a build-up of bacteria and other tongue debris, leading to a white-colored coating. In rarer cases, medical conditions such as syphilis, oral thrush, or leukoplakia can be the cause.
Learn MoreWhen Your Tongue Turns White: Could it Be Thrush or Something Else Entirely?
Not usually. Iin most cases, having a white tongue does not signal that you have something more serious. That said, some conditions that cause white tongue require treatment. The most serious health condition is cancer, but that is rare.Learn MoreEarly Tongue Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Not usually. Iin most cases, having a white tongue does not signal that you have something more serious. That said, some conditions that cause white tongue require treatment. The most serious health condition is cancer, but that is rare.
Learn MoreEarly Tongue Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
The treatment of white tongue depends on the cause. In many cases, it will clear up on its own. If a health condition is causing the white tongue, the condition itself will be treated, which will remedy the symptom.Learn MoreWhite Patches on Tongue: Causes and When to See a Doctor
The treatment of white tongue depends on the cause. In many cases, it will clear up on its own. If a health condition is causing the white tongue, the condition itself will be treated, which will remedy the symptom.
Learn MoreWhite Patches on Tongue: Causes and When to See a Doctor
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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