5 White Tongue Causes and Natural Treatments
- Practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. You should also use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and debris from your tongue.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use. Smoking and tobacco use can irritate the tongue and increase the risk of developing tongue cancer.
- Get regular dental checkups. Your dentist can check for any tongue problems and recommend treatment if needed.
If you are experiencing tongue problems, such as pain, swelling, or discoloration, it is important to see a dentist or doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment.
Here are some specific tongue problems and solutions:
- Canker sores: Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can appear on the tongue or inside the mouth. They are usually caused by a virus, but they can also be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or certain foods. Canker sores usually go away on their own within a week or two, but there are some things you can do to relieve the pain, such as:
- Applying a cold compress to the affected area
- Rinsing your mouth with salt water or baking soda solution
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Geographic tongue: Geographic tongue is a harmless condition that causes the tongue to become red and bumpy. The bumps may come and go, and they usually don’t cause any pain. There is no treatment for geographic tongue, but you can make it less noticeable by brushing your tongue regularly and avoiding foods that irritate it.
- Oral thrush: Oral thrush is a fungal infection that can cause white patches to appear on the tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth. It is often caused by taking antibiotics, but it can also be caused by poor oral hygiene, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Oral thrush can be treated with antifungal medications, such as nystatin or fluconazole.
- Swollen tongue: A swollen tongue can be caused by a number of things, including dehydration, an allergic reaction, or an infection. If your tongue is swollen, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment.
If you are experiencing tongue problems, it is important to see a dentist or doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment.
This is an important topic if you like it. Check out foods that fight depression and anxiety.