23 years
I have had a white layer on my tongue for years, how can I treat it?
Nov 7, 2014
White tongue is composed of a layer of debris, bacteria and dead cells on the tongue that makes it look white. White tongue occurs when there is inflammation of the finger-like projections (papillae) on the surface of the tongue. The white coating is due to accumulation debris, bacteria and dead cells in between the inflamed papillae.
Causes of inflammation include:
• Dehydration
• Dry mouth
• Excessive alcohol use
• Fever
• Smoking
Avoiding the triggers, when possible, will help reduce a white coated tongue. Regular and rigorous oral hygiene (daily tooth brushing and gentle tongue cleansing plus dental flossing) is a pillar in maintaining a healthy oral environment.
Conditions associated with white patches or other discolorations of your tongue include:
• Certain medications
• Geographic tongue: Geographic tongue (also known as benign migratory glossitis because the appearance is constantly changing), is a benign condition that affects around 2% of the population. It is described as well-defined, reddened areas on and around the sides of the tongue. These red zones usually have whitish or yellowish raised borders. The condition usually fluctuates in severity, with the red patches flaring up in one area for several hours to a few days, remain prominent for some time (days to weeks to months, depending on the individual), then fading away; however, the process generally goes into cycles in a different area or areas a few days, weeks or months later. When the condition waxes, the tongue often becomes sensitive (feels like it has been scalded or burned) to hot, spicy or acidic foods.
The cause of geographic tongue is not clear. Several factors have been hypothesized as potential causes including emotional stress, psychological factors, habits, allergies, diabetes and hormonal changes. Nonetheless, none of these factors have been confirmed to contribute to the appearance of geographic tongue. Geographic tongue and psoriasis (a skin disease) have been linked together: geographic tongue was noted to be more common in patients with psoriasis. Some theorize that geographic tongue an oral form of psoriasis.
Anyone can develop geographic tongue. The reason why some people are more prone to this condition than others is not well understood. It is not of infectious origin, however, so it’s not something contagious.
Geographic tongue is a benign condition that usually resolves by itself without causing sequela or complications, so most people do not require treatment. It’s not curable. If there are associated medical conditions, treatment of these may improve the appearance of the tongue.
Geographic tongue has never been demonstrated to undergo transformation to cancer.
• Leukoplakia: Leukoplakia is a common condition that results in a painless white patch in the mouth, which sometimes appears on the tongue. The presence of this white patch is due to the deposition of too many cells being produced from the lining of the mouth, in addition to a protein called keratin. Leukoplakia can appear from tongue irritation and is linked to excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. This condition is not considered serious but in few cases it may develop into a malignancy, often many years or even decades after it first appears. In order to distinguish between a simple case of coated tongue or leukoplakia, you need to consult your dentist. Regular check up by the dentist is also necessary to ensure that any leukoplakia is not increasing in size or changing, or that new areas of leukoplakia are not developing.
• Oral thrush: this is a yeast infection in the mouth caused by a fungus, usually candida, and is mostly seen in individuals with conditions that cause a weak immune system, such as diabetics, or people on chronic steroid treatment (inhalers for asthma); it may also be a transient side effect of antibiotics. It can cause a burning sensation on the tongue as well as sore white plaques that can be scraped off (although it may sometimes appear as a red patch).Treatment is with antifungal medicines.
• Oral lichen planus: this is a long-term condition whereby disorder of the local immune system in the mouth leads to the formation of white lacy streaks and white patches in the mouth, including on the tongue. Mild cases are usually without symptoms, though some burning sensation and discomfort, painful red gums and sore patches in the lining of the mouth are reported. The exact cause of oral lichen planus is unknown. It is not hereditary notcontagious. Mild cases do not require treatment. More severe cases can be managed with an antiseptic mouthwash plus steroid sprays or steroid tablets dissolved in water to make a mouth rinse.
Causes of inflammation include:
• Dehydration
• Dry mouth
• Excessive alcohol use
• Fever
• Smoking
Avoiding the triggers, when possible, will help reduce a white coated tongue. Regular and rigorous oral hygiene (daily tooth brushing and gentle tongue cleansing plus dental flossing) is a pillar in maintaining a healthy oral environment.
Conditions associated with white patches or other discolorations of your tongue include:
• Certain medications
• Geographic tongue: Geographic tongue (also known as benign migratory glossitis because the appearance is constantly changing), is a benign condition that affects around 2% of the population. It is described as well-defined, reddened areas on and around the sides of the tongue. These red zones usually have whitish or yellowish raised borders. The condition usually fluctuates in severity, with the red patches flaring up in one area for several hours to a few days, remain prominent for some time (days to weeks to months, depending on the individual), then fading away; however, the process generally goes into cycles in a different area or areas a few days, weeks or months later. When the condition waxes, the tongue often becomes sensitive (feels like it has been scalded or burned) to hot, spicy or acidic foods.
The cause of geographic tongue is not clear. Several factors have been hypothesized as potential causes including emotional stress, psychological factors, habits, allergies, diabetes and hormonal changes. Nonetheless, none of these factors have been confirmed to contribute to the appearance of geographic tongue. Geographic tongue and psoriasis (a skin disease) have been linked together: geographic tongue was noted to be more common in patients with psoriasis. Some theorize that geographic tongue an oral form of psoriasis.
Anyone can develop geographic tongue. The reason why some people are more prone to this condition than others is not well understood. It is not of infectious origin, however, so it’s not something contagious.
Geographic tongue is a benign condition that usually resolves by itself without causing sequela or complications, so most people do not require treatment. It’s not curable. If there are associated medical conditions, treatment of these may improve the appearance of the tongue.
Geographic tongue has never been demonstrated to undergo transformation to cancer.
• Leukoplakia: Leukoplakia is a common condition that results in a painless white patch in the mouth, which sometimes appears on the tongue. The presence of this white patch is due to the deposition of too many cells being produced from the lining of the mouth, in addition to a protein called keratin. Leukoplakia can appear from tongue irritation and is linked to excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. This condition is not considered serious but in few cases it may develop into a malignancy, often many years or even decades after it first appears. In order to distinguish between a simple case of coated tongue or leukoplakia, you need to consult your dentist. Regular check up by the dentist is also necessary to ensure that any leukoplakia is not increasing in size or changing, or that new areas of leukoplakia are not developing.
• Oral thrush: this is a yeast infection in the mouth caused by a fungus, usually candida, and is mostly seen in individuals with conditions that cause a weak immune system, such as diabetics, or people on chronic steroid treatment (inhalers for asthma); it may also be a transient side effect of antibiotics. It can cause a burning sensation on the tongue as well as sore white plaques that can be scraped off (although it may sometimes appear as a red patch).Treatment is with antifungal medicines.
• Oral lichen planus: this is a long-term condition whereby disorder of the local immune system in the mouth leads to the formation of white lacy streaks and white patches in the mouth, including on the tongue. Mild cases are usually without symptoms, though some burning sensation and discomfort, painful red gums and sore patches in the lining of the mouth are reported. The exact cause of oral lichen planus is unknown. It is not hereditary notcontagious. Mild cases do not require treatment. More severe cases can be managed with an antiseptic mouthwash plus steroid sprays or steroid tablets dissolved in water to make a mouth rinse.
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