Discover what causes a white tongue and its implications on your health. Learn how lifestyle factors and oral microbiota can contribute to this condition. Find out how to manage a white tongue and when to seek medical advice.
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White Tongue Causes
A white tongue coating can occur due to health issues like colds or fevers, or lifestyle factors.
These factors include smoking, excessive alcohol, and too much sugar, coffee, tea, or dairy.
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White Tongue Composition
The white coating is often an accumulation of bacteria and dead cells, known as saburral tongue or white patches.
This can usually be removed with a tongue scraper.
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Oral Thrush
White patches could be oral thrush, a fungal infection.
It's marked by a burning sensation, peelable whitish clusters and is treatable with antifungal medications.
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A white coating on the tongue can occur when your health is compromised, like during a cold or fever. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol, and too much sugar, coffee, tea, or dairy can also contribute to this by disrupting the balance of your oral microbiota or affecting saliva production.
In most cases, it’s an accumulation of bacteria and dead cells, a condition known as saburral tongue or white patches. This coating can often be removed by gently using a tongue scraper. However, other factors can lead to a thicker coating, localized patches, or even a metallic taste in the mouth.
What exactly causes the tongue to turn white? Could this be a sign of infection? What about other health implications? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!
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Do you really know?