White tongue

White tongue is due to the tiny hairlike bumps, called papillae, on the surface of your tongue when they grow too much or swell. Debris, bacteria and dead cells can get stuck between the enlarged and sometimes swollen papillae. This makes the tongue look like it has a white coating. Although it may look alarming, the condition usually doesn't do any harm and lasts only for a limited time. But white tongue can be a sign of some serious conditions, ranging from infection to a precancerous condition. These conditions could likely to lead to cancer if not treated. If you're concerned about a white coating or white spots on your tongue, contact your medical or dental health professional.

Causes of white tongue include, for example: Not cleaning the inside of your mouth properly. Dehydration Alcohol use Smoking or using other tobacco products by mouth. Mouth breathing. Low fiber diet — eating mostly soft or mashed foods. Irritation from sharp tooth edges or dental appliances. Fever Examples of conditions related to white patches or other conditions that can change the color of your tongue include: Use of certain medicines, such as using antibiotics for a long time. This may bring on an oral yeast infection. Oral thrush Geographic tongue Leukoplakia Oral lichen planus Mouth cancer Tongue cancer Syphilis Low immunity caused by diseases such as HIV/AIDS.