There are many possible causes for white tongue, and in some cases, it comes with an unpleasant odor and mouth dryness. To get rid of it, sometimes you just need to brush your teeth. But what should you do if that doesn’t help?
❗ This article is for informative purposes only and can’t replace the advice of a specialist.
What white tongue is
The white film may cover the entire tongue, part of it, or appear as spots. At the same time, an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth may appear. It looks as if there are small white hairs on the tongue’s surface. In fact, they are buds covered with organic particles, bacteria, and dead cells.
White plaque on the tongue (which can also be yellow) may appear for different reasons, like due to irritation or because of an infection. It usually disappears after several days. If the situation doesn’t change for several weeks, and it’s painful to eat and talk, it’s best to see a doctor.
It’s important to note that the plaque may not only be white. While a pink tongue is normal, a brown tongue means the person drinks too much coffee or tea. A yellow tongue means there’s something wrong with the liver, and a red tongue is a sign that the person lacks vitamin B.
Why the tongue becomes white
Usually, the tongue becomes white due to bacteria, leftover bits of food, or dead cells that get stuck in between the buds. Because of this, the buds may increase in size or become inflamed. This is how white spots on the tongue’s surface appear.
Sometimes, the plaque appears due to an illness. For example, the geographic tongue is also a condition where white spots appear on the tongue. It’s quite rare, and the causes are unknown, but the condition itself is often connected to eating foods that irritate the tongue. It may also be a reaction to stress, an illness, or hormonal changes.
Why white plaque appears on the tongue
There are some things that make the appearance of white plaque on the tongue more probable:
- Age
- Taking antibiotics (white-yellow plaque appearing when there’s a fungal infection in the mouth)
- A diet that’s lacking enough fruits, vegetables, vitamin B12, and iron
- A weak immune system
- Bad mouth hygiene
- Dental prosthetics or other objects that can damage the tongue
- Dehydration and mouth dryness
What piercings have to do with white tongue
Right after piercing the tongue, there might be some white film present. This happens because the number of bacteria on the tongue increases, and it’s normal. Antibacterial mouthwash will help you get rid of it. Plus, there might be a ring around the piercings, which is normal too, and it means the tissue is healing.
If the plaque appears due to an injury (including piercings), the healing should take around 1.5 weeks. You should avoid irritants, such as hot, spicy, or sour foods and drinks.
How to get rid of white tongue at home
- Practice good mouth hygiene.
- Drink enough water.
- Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush.
- Use a mild fluoride toothpaste — one that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Use fluoride mouthwash.
- Brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to remove the white coating.
- Drink cold drinks through a straw.
- Avoid food and drinks that are spicy, salty, acidic, or very hot in temperature.
Who to talk to if you’re worried about your white tongue
- Your dentist can help you remove the white film from the tongue and prescribe medications if needed.
- Your GP can diagnose the tongue, prescribe you certain medications and determine if the white tongue is an indicator of a more serious issue.
What do you do about white tongue?
Preview photo credit Genusfotografen (genusfotografen.se) & Wikimedia Sverige (wikimedia.se) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Martanopue / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Ex-Model On Addiction And Homeless Life: ‘I’m In A Lot Of Pain’
Fitness model who got homeless after becoming an addict Loni Willison is blaming her ex-husband, “Baywatch” actor Jeremy Jackson, for her mental health deterioration.
In an interview that X17 Online published on Friday, the 39-year-old Willison—who has been spotted looking through dumpsters in California throughout the years—was asked where her life went wrong.
“My former spouse. Getting hitched. I got divorced, at least,” she answered.”He arranged for this to happen to me.”
After less than two years of marriage, the couple suffered a painful breakup in 2014.
During an apparent drunken altercation, Jackson allegedly attempted to choke Willison. The Post reached out to Jackson for an answer.
Willison formerly modeled for magazines like Flavour, Iron Man, and Glam Fit. She disappeared from the public view for over four years, until 2018.
Instead of her beautifully bronzed physique and gorgeous blonde hair, Willison had become disheveled, had short hair, and had lost her top teeth when she resurfaced.
During the interview on Friday, Willison said that her stomach hurts “really bad” and that she is “in a lot of pain.”
She said that she “can’t live inside anywhere” and that she is no longer allowed to be near power because she was “electrocuted” every day for about a year.
I believe that in addition to sensing electricity, I also detect other substances such as wire, various metals, fuses, batteries, and specific compounds. Therefore, I believe that my body even filters that kind of stuff,” she said.
I wouldn’t know for sure; I’d need to use a sonogram machine or a large X-ray machine to find out. It’s fairly intense.
When asked whether she had asked the city of Los Angeles for help, Willison replied, “There’s nothing that anybody can offer me.” There is nothing we can do to help.
She claimed to have received offers of help but never made a request for it.
She acknowledged that she’s “not necessarily” satisfied with her life’s course, saying, “There are good parts and there are bad parts, but whatever.”
The interviewer also noticed that she had serious injuries on her fingers. When he suggested that she have them checked out, Willison comforted him, saying, “I’ll be fine.”
In a 2018 interview, Willison discussed her energy issues with the Daily Mail. She said at the time that she was “getting tortured in my home, my apartment” due to her crystal meth addiction.
The 42-year-old Jackson has been open about his own battles with alcohol, drug, and steroid addiction.
In order to serve time in prison for allegedly stabbing a woman in Los Angeles in 2015, Jackson accepted into a plea deal in 2017.
He was also kicked off “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2015 after it was alleged that he had stolen model Chloe Goodman’s robe.
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