White coated tongue: What if my tongue is white?

A thin white film on the tongue, while not particularly aesthetic, is mostly harmless. The plaque consists of dead cells, microorganisms and food residues that adhere to the surface of the tongue. However, the tongue can also appear as a side effect of a disease.

What causes white coating on the tongue?

With regular—preferably daily—use of a tongue scraper and good overall oral hygiene, the tongue should appear pale pink. At best, there should be a light, thin white layer on it that can be easily removed with a tongue scraper and does not remain permanent. The harmless white coating on the tongue is a mixture of papillae tips, germs, mucus from your own body, old cells and leftover food. There are a particularly large number of germs on the back third of the tongue. Liquid diets can also cause a white-coated tongue, as can the common cold and drug-related dry mouth. Coating of the tongue can also often be traced back to the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.

However, the plaque can also be symptomatic of infectious diseases. A white coated tongue is often caused by inflammation of the gastric mucosa or another disease of the digestive organs. A viral infection or a cold with or without a fever can also be to blame. In anemia caused by iron deficiency, the tongue is also noticeably light. In leukoplakia, there are whitish, firm coatings on the tongue surface or on the edge of the tongue, but also on other mucous membranes and in typhoid fever there are grey-white areas in the middle of the tongue with a red border. An infestation with the yeast Candida albicans shows up as a white, cheesy coating.

If plaque is very stubborn, especially if it is accompanied by unpleasant effects on mouthfeel or general health, it is better to see a doctor to rule out other diseases or to start treatment.

What can you do about a white coated tongue?

Even if there is no serious problem, it is still advisable to actively counteract white deposits. Because it is not only not particularly nice to look at - bacterial tongue coating is also the main cause of bad breath, called halitosis in technical jargon. Up to 80 percent of all bacteria that cause halitosis can be found on the surface of the tongue, and the numerous depressions on the rough back of the tongue are the preferred places for harmful bacteria to settle, which do not need oxygen to live and promote inflammation of the oral cavity.

One way to control the amount of tongue coating is through diet. The fiber in grains, fruits and vegetables creates mechanical friction. As a result, the coating is practically rubbed off the tongue. On the other hand, a diet of soft and liquid foods can make tongue coating proliferate.

In any case, brushing your teeth twice a day is not enough, although cleaning with a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss forms the basis of optimal oral hygiene. To counteract white coating on the tongue, we recommend using a tongue cleaner with ribs and nubs that was specially developed for this purpose. This proven means of self-treatment of a white coated tongue removes bacterial deposits gently, sustainably and effectively. The flat shape avoids the natural gag reflex and with a little practice this is no longer uncomfortable and becomes a normal part of the daily routine. Stick your tongue out far and use the nub side of the tongue cleaner to gently apply antibacterial toothpaste to the top of your tongue. Then place the tongue cleaner with the lamellar side on the uppermost visible point of the tongue and carefully pull off the tongue coating towards the tip of the tongue. A possible halitosis, which can be traced back to a white coated tongue, will soon be a thing of the past. Instead, there is a pleasant feeling of freshness in the mouth, because the taste buds are also freed from the clogged plaque.