Question: Sometimes my tongue turns white. Should I be worried?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “white tongue is the result of inflammation of the finger-like projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the inflamed papillae.”
Inflammation and the appearance of a white tongue can be the results of a few things. These include:
– Dehydration
– Excessive drinking of alcohol
– Excessive smoking of cigarettes
– Dry mouth
– Fever or sickness
If one of these conditions apply to you and you notice some whiteness on your tongue, it’s likely not an issue that you need to be too concerned about. However, whiteness on the tongue can also be an indicator of a more serious problem, so if these conditions don’t apply to you and you still see whiteness on the tongue, you should consult a dentist or doctor immediately.
More serious causes of whiteness on the tongue include leukoplakia, oral lichen plans, oral thrush or syphilis.
Have more questions about whiteness on your tongue? Contact the professionals at DentaLux today!
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