Covered tongue

A coated tongue can indicate many diseases, including chronic ones, the presence of which a person may not even suspect for years. An experienced doctor will immediately determine by the color of the tongue that the person's body requires careful diagnostics.

If a person is healthy, their tongue should be pale pink, a light-colored coating may be present, but not of a dense consistency, the texture of the tongue should be normally visible through the coating. Otherwise, the coating is considered thick, which indicates problems in the body. The coating on the tongue consists of saliva, epithelium, food debris, bacteria and fungi that feed on all this, as well as leukocytes that feed on fungi and bacteria. The degree of coating on the tongue is also affected by oral hygiene. Dentists advise carefully cleaning the tongue twice a day. A wide range of diseases can lead to a coated tongue - oral candidiasis, gastrointestinal problems, exacerbation of chronic diseases, infectious diseases, decreased immunity.

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Causes of coated tongue

It is no secret that some doctors can determine health problems by the appearance of the tongue. Sometimes you can notice that the surface of the tongue is covered with a coating. It can be of different colors, thicknesses, and shapes. The coating does not appear just like that, the main reason for its appearance is the huge number of bacteria that live in the oral cavity. If there are no problems with the functioning of the internal organs, and proper oral hygiene is carried out, then such a coating is thin, easily separated, it is present even in completely healthy people. Such a coating can change due to seasonal weather changes. In summer it is denser, in autumn it is dry and barely noticeable, and in winter it can have a yellowish tint.

But if the coating covers the tongue with a thick layer, or has a strange color, then these may be alarm bells - not everything is in order in the body. The reasons for a coated tongue may be:

• gastrointestinal problems (including worms, inflammatory processes in the intestines, or problems with its normal functioning);
• problems with kidneys, lungs;
• reduced immunity;
• candidiasis;
• infectious diseases;
• hepatitis, cholecystitis;
• excess water in the body or, conversely, dehydration – depends on the color of the plaque and its location;
• sometimes the plaque is a sign of alcoholism;

The tongue can become coated due to smoking and the use of certain medications, as well as due to the lack of proper and regular oral hygiene.

There are many other possible causes of a coated tongue, but they are determined on an individual basis.

Coated tongue as a symptom of disease

Coated tongue, the symptoms of diseases associated with it are varied, it can be:

1. gastritis;
2. cholecystitis;
3. stomach ulcer;
4. gastrointestinal diseases;
5. infectious diseases;
6. neurasthenia;
7. decreased immunity;
8. oral candidiasis.

A qualified doctor always examines the patient's tongue during an appointment, since the color of the tongue's coating and the intensity of the coating on it can be used to make a preliminary diagnosis.

Why is my tongue coated white?

Many people believe that a white coating on the tongue is a common and normal phenomenon. We can partially agree with them. Most people have a thin coating of this color. It is the result of the activity of various bacteria in the oral cavity. But this type of coating can be easily removed and the tongue remains pink for a long time.

If the white coating is a thick layer on the tongue, then these are alarming symptoms. It means that there are some problems in the body. It is the thickness of the coating, the place where it accumulates that will indicate problems with the state of health.

So, the places where plaque accumulates indicate the following diseases:

• in the middle of the tongue – inflammatory processes in the stomach (ulcer, gastritis);
• on the root - enterocolitis;
• on the sides in front of the tongue – problems with the bronchi, lungs;
• on the sides behind the tongue – kidney disease.

A white coating on the entire tongue is always a sign of decreased immunity, intestinal problems, or anemia.

If the plaque becomes thicker, the body temperature rises and tonsillitis begins.

Plaque in the form of small lumps that look like cottage cheese is a sign of diseases caused by fungi.

Thin plaque can be removed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Rub the tongue surface with light circular motions and rinse well. If plaque is a sign of some disease, you should see a doctor. He will identify the problem, prescribe treatment, and the plaque will go away.

If the tongue is coated with a white coating, this may indicate that the person suffers from infectious diseases, which means that you need to immediately contact a medical institution to diagnose the condition of the body, since infectious diseases can have serious complications. Dysentery and scarlet fever begin with a white coating, which goes away during recovery. Also, the tongue is coated with a white coating with candidal stomatitis. In addition, a white coating on the tongue indicates that the person suffers from constipation, anemia and vitamin deficiency.

Why is my tongue coated yellow?

Yellow coating on the tongue is the second most common after white.

A yellow coating on the tongue is a sign of:

• impaired digestion;
• reaction to taking certain types of medications;
• respiratory, viral diseases;
• initial stage of gallbladder and liver disease.

A thin yellowish coating that is easy to get rid of is a signal that the body is overloaded with waste and toxins. Changes in diet will help solve this problem.

A dark yellow coating with a dense structure and a bad smell is a signal that stomach diseases are developing. An appointment with a gastroenterologist, his recommendations will help to overcome the disease and cleanse the tongue.

A thick coating with a greenish tint and a bitter taste is a signal that problems with bile or liver have begun. If you pay attention to such a coating right away, then following a diet will help both the organs and cleanse the tongue.

Some antibiotics cause a yellow coating to appear. This is the liver's reaction to the drugs.

A tongue coated with a yellowish coating may indicate a cold, pharyngitis, or tonsillitis. In such cases, a coated tongue is accompanied by a high temperature and weakness.

Black coffee, smoking, strong tea can also provoke the appearance of a light yellow coating. If there are no other diseases, then this type of coating is a temporary phenomenon, a few hours will pass, and it will disappear.

If the tongue is coated with a yellow coating, this indicates problems with the liver, the work of this organ is disrupted and urgent diagnostics are needed. As is known, the liver is the main filter of our body, problems with the liver negatively affect the work of the whole body. Also, a coated tongue in this case indicates problems with the bile ducts. You need to urgently see a gastroenterologist.

Why is the root of the tongue coated?

If a person suffers from intestinal problems, constipation, diarrhea, dysbacteriosis, then he will have a coated tongue root. However, you should not diagnose yourself based on the condition and coating on the tongue, only a therapist or gastroenterologist can correctly determine the cause of the coated tongue root and prescribe the necessary treatment. But it is worth remembering that problems with the gastrointestinal tract always lead to the appearance of a coating on the tongue. If the tongue root is coated, then the cause is definitely in the intestines.

Causes of Dry Mouth and Coated Tongue

The appearance of such a symptom as dry mouth and coated tongue almost always causes anxiety in the patient. Dry mouth or xerostomia is a symptom of insufficient or no saliva production. This is caused by atrophy of the salivary glands, infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, diseases of the nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, serious problems with immunity. Dry mouth and coated tongue often occur during exacerbation of chronic diseases. Dry mouth can be caused by taking certain medications.

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Why is my tongue coated brown?

If your tongue is coated brown, there could be many reasons for this.

Light brown plaque indicates a disruption in lymph drainage, inflammation in the joints, and exacerbation of upper respiratory tract diseases.

A yellow-brown coating indicates problems with the gastrointestinal tract, chronic alcoholism, drug abuse, and lung and bronchial disease.

Dark brown plaque indicates that a person is sick with acute respiratory viral infections, severe forms of gastrointestinal diseases, kidney, liver and gall bladder diseases, intestinal dysbacteriosis. In this case, a coated tongue is the first, but very alarming bell, which requires immediate medical attention.

There are many diseases that pass with barely noticeable symptoms and become chronic. It would seem, why didn't the body let you know about it? It turns out that people simply do not pay attention to its signals. Such a signal sign can be considered a tongue coated with a brown coating.

What does such a raid mean:

• a brown coating on the tongue in the morning is a sign of problems with the bronchi and lungs (if it has accumulated closer to the tip) and the digestive system (it is noticeable at the root of the tongue);
• Such plaque may appear in smokers, chocolate lovers, strong tea and coffee drinkers. Such plaque is harmless, it is easily removed by hygienic procedures;
• brown plaque due to some medications (antibiotics, pharyngosept tablets, Malavit, etc.). The plaque will disappear over time.
• oral diseases caused by fungi. In such cases, treatment is prescribed only by a doctor;
• brown coating on the tongue with signs of dizziness, general weakness and nausea is a signal of poisoning. A doctor's examination and his recommendations will help get rid of all the symptoms;
• advanced stomatitis, urgent medical attention is required;
• dehydration. Drinking more water does not always help, a consultation with a specialist is required;
• A brown coating may indicate a lack of vitamins, in particular group B.

The main thing you should know is that you first need to eliminate the causes of the appearance of brown plaque on the tongue, and only then fight it (but most often it disappears along with other symptoms after a course of therapy).

Why is my tongue coated grey?

If the tongue is coated with a gray coating, and this is not very common, it means that there is a serious problem in the body that needs to be addressed immediately. The presence of a gray coating on the tongue indicates serious, dangerous diseases.

Often the appearance of a gray coating on the tongue causes discomfort - it does not look nice, there is a bad smell from the mouth. Depending on the thickness and shade of the coating, one can judge what diseases it is a sign of.

But gray plaque is not always a signal of a problem. A thin transparent coating that is easy to remove is a product of the vital activity of bacteria that live in everyone's mouth.

But if the plaque is dense, then it requires attention.

A gray coating may be the body's reaction to taking certain types of antibiotics. But such coating quickly disappears and is easily removed with a brush. Frequent rinsing of the oral cavity is recommended.

A transparent gray coating after a night's sleep is not a cause for alarm, it is normal. Of course, if it disappears after brushing your teeth and tongue. You can rinse your mouth with herbal decoctions, balms - there will be no bad smell and coating.

Patients with HIV infection often have a thick gray coating. Their digestive system suffers from this infection.

With tonsillitis, a grayish coating may be observed, which disappears after recovery (the coating with tonsillitis may also be white, yellow - this is individual). It is recommended to rinse the mouth with herbal decoctions.

If a grey-yellow coating appears on the tongue, it means that the intestines or stomach are not in order. Without painful sensations or other symptoms, you can do without a simple diet, and the coating will gradually disappear.

The gray color of the plaque indicates excess moisture in the human body or a lack of it. Everything depends on the moisture content of the plaque that has formed.

Light plaque disappears with regular hygiene procedures, but with denser plaque you need to contact specialists.

Serious, often chronic, problems with the gastrointestinal tract also lead to the appearance of a gray coating on the tongue.

Why is my tongue coated black?

In most cases, black coating on the tongue occurs in men.

If you notice a black coating on your tongue, don't panic and call an ambulance. If your tongue is coated with a black coating, it's quite possible that there is a harmless explanation for this - you may have eaten too many currants, blueberries, and drunk more activated carbon than you should. As you know, these berries and activated carbon color not only your tongue, but also your stool black. Those who don't know this may be frightened by the appearance of a black coating on their tongue. In other cases, acidosis - a disturbance in the balance of alkalis and acids in the body - leads to a black coating.

When the tongue is coated with a black coating, this can be explained by several reasons. Probably, everyone knows the fact that the tongue surface consists of small, sensitive papillae. They are oblong in shape and protrude above the surface. This shape of these papillae provokes the settling of small pieces of food between them. This creates a favorable environment for the vital activity of bacteria (of which there are plenty in the mouth). They feed on these remains, and this is how the tongue is coated, that is, a coating appears.

What causes the black color of the plaque? Here are some reasons:

• incorrect or rare oral hygiene procedures. It is necessary to brush not only the teeth, but also the tongue and the inside of the cheeks with a soft-bristled brush. Be sure to do this twice a day.
• smoking. Tars from tobacco settle on the tongue surface and change the color of the papillae (sometimes the tongue is black). There is only one way out - to quit smoking.
• very frequent consumption of strong tea and coffee. These products have the ability to stain the tongue. It is recommended to rinse your mouth after each cup.
• Taking antibiotics. They can disrupt the normal function of oral bacteria, and as a reaction to this - a blackened tongue.
• insufficient amount of water in the body;
• drug use;
• disturbed balance of acids and alkalis and other reasons.

If simple hygiene is not enough, then you need to seek help from a doctor. First, let the therapist examine you, and then he will decide who to refer the patient to.

Why is my tongue coated green?

Green coating on the tongue is very rare. As a rule, green coating accumulates in the middle of the tongue, closer to the root. If the tongue is coated with green coating, it means that the person is sick with candidal, yeast or mycotic glossitis, provoked by excessive use of steroids, antibiotics and drugs that suppress the immune system. Do not be nervous, modern medicine successfully, quickly and effectively copes with this problem. The key to success is timely diagnosis and proper treatment, which will cure not only the coated tongue, but also the disease at the root.

Why is my tongue coated in the morning?

As a rule, plaque - white, yellow, gray, brown, green and black (depending on the problems in the body), appears in the morning. Even completely healthy people may have plaque on the tongue in the morning. If the tongue is coated in the morning, then most likely there are minor problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you need to visit a gastroenterologist. Often, if you brush your tongue with a toothbrush in the evening, then you can easily get rid of plaque in the morning. In this case, a coated tongue can be easily "eliminated" with additional oral hygiene measures.

Coated tongue in a child

The tongue is a kind of mirror of the body. By the coating on the tongue, an experienced doctor will immediately determine which organ of the person has problems or malfunctions. A pediatrician always examines the child's tongue during an appointment. Most often, children have a white coating on the tongue. Other colors of coating are extremely rare. In infants, a white coating on the tongue can be due to thrush, in older children, a coated tongue indicates problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and stomatitis is also possible. A coated tongue in a child can also be due to infectious diseases, scarlet fever and flu. Also, a white coating can indicate dysbacteriosis and gastritis.

Diagnosis of coated tongue

As is known, each part (area) of the tongue is responsible for the condition of one or another organ. Diagnosis of a coated tongue involves examining the mobility, size, shape, color, presence and nature of plaque, and the surface of the tongue.

A healthy tongue in a healthy person should have a color from red-pink to pale pink, without a noticeable coating, with an even fold in the middle of the tongue, the surface of the tongue should be smooth, with visible taste buds.

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What to do if your tongue is coated?

A coating on the tongue indicates that there is a problem in the human body that requires diagnostics and treatment. A thick, opaque coating on the tongue, through which the organ itself (the tongue) is not visible, indicates that there is an infection in the body or that chronic diseases have worsened. What to do if the tongue is coated? Do not self-diagnose and self-medicate, but visit a gastroenterologist who will conduct the necessary diagnostics and prescribe treatment. The coating on the tongue itself, if it is caused by a disease and is not the cause of poor oral hygiene, will not go away.

Treatment of coated tongue

Coating of the tongue can be caused by many diseases, including infectious diseases, gastrointestinal problems, including worms, decreased immunity, candidiasis, lung diseases and even oncology. Treatment of a coated tongue begins with its diagnosis and identification of the cause of the coating. The tongue can be coated with white, yellow, gray, green and black coating. Each color indicates certain diseases, including even HIV infection.

Treatment of candidal glossitis in adults and children

The most common cause of candidal glossitis is the use of antibiotics. As a result of such therapy, the microflora in the human body changes and is disrupted. Signs of this type of glossitis will be swelling of the tongue, the appearance of a white coating on it, grooves on the surface of the tongue coating.

To treat candidal glossitis, drugs are prescribed that suppress the fungus:

• Nystatin. The indication for use of the drug is the prevention of candidiasis, its treatment, treatment of candidal glossitis. Adults are prescribed - 1 tablet of 500 thousand units, which in case of glossitis should be sucked behind the cheek. This should be done three to five times a day after meals. In case of glossitis in children, a nystatin tablet of 250 thousand units is ground into powder and diluted with 1 milliliter of liquid vitamin B12. The resulting solution is used to lubricate the mucous membranes of the mouth. Contraindications to taking this drug are pregnancy and breastfeeding, ulcers, impaired liver function.
• Geksaliz. Prescribed for adults for local treatment. Indications for use - infectious, inflammatory diseases in the oral cavity. The tablets are sucked 6 or eight pieces per day. Contraindication can be considered individual sensitivity to the components of the drug.
• Trypsin. Prescribed to remove plaque from the tongue. Used as a solution for wiping. Rub the surface of the tongue with a cotton swab with Trypsin in light movements. The procedure is carried out twice a day. For small children - once. Contraindications to the use of Trypsin include intolerance, allergy.
• Iodinol. Used as a disinfectant for tonsillitis, inflammatory processes on the skin, on the mucous membranes. Prescribed for children and adults for treatment (with Iodinol solution) of the tongue surface and oral cavity. Used 4 to 6 times a day. Contraindication is sensitivity to iodine.

Candidal glossitis can be treated with folk remedies.

• Method 1. Grate washed raw potatoes and squeeze out the juice. Treat the tongue and mouth with this juice two or three times a day. The treatment can last three weeks.
• Method 2. Make a chamomile infusion (one tablespoon per one glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour and strain) and rinse your mouth with it at least six times a day after meals.
• Method 3. Prepare an infusion of bedstraw herb (one tablespoon per one glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain) and rinse your mouth with it six times a day and at night.

Treatment of stomatitis in adults and children

Stomatitis is a disease of the oral mucosa. Children suffer from it most often. Sometimes it develops as an accompanying disease in other diseases. A number of drugs are prescribed for the treatment of stomatitis.

• Metrogyl Denta. A gel preparation used to treat acute gingivitis, stomatitis, and periodontitis. The gel is applied to the gums and affected areas of the oral cavity twice a day. After the procedure, it is not allowed to eat for a quarter of an hour. Contraindications include individual sensitivity and children under six years of age.
• Metronidazole. Prescribed for stomatitis as an antimicrobial agent. The recommended dose for adults is 500 milligrams three times a day for a week. This drug is not prescribed for children with stomatitis. Contraindications to taking Metronidazole are pregnancy, lactation, renal or hepatic insufficiency.
• Hydrogen peroxide solution. Recommended for stomatitis, as an antimicrobial agent. Used as a rinse. The doctor determines the dose and duration of treatment individually. Contraindication is hypersensitivity to the drug.
• Miramistin. The drug in the form of a solution, applied externally. Prescribed for stomatitis, periodontitis, treatment of wounds, burns, etc. Prescribed for adults. When treating stomatitis, the drug is used for rinsing or as an application. Keep for no more than fifteen minutes. Contraindications to taking this drug are burning, minor irritation on the skin surface, dryness.

You can start treating stomatitis at home using these methods.

• Method 1. Rinsing with propolis tincture will speed up recovery. The alcohol tincture is diluted with water one to one, three to five times.
• Method 2. Rinsing the mouth with fresh aloe juice gives excellent results. It is even recommended to chew small pieces of the plant leaves.
• Method 3. Dilute fresh carrot juice halfway with boiled water and rinse your mouth several times throughout the day.

These simple methods can also be used by children if they know how to rinse their mouths.

Treatment of a tongue coated with black plaque

To treat a tongue coated with black plaque, follow these recommendations:

• properly perform oral hygiene procedures. It is necessary to clean the surface of the tongue with a soft brush, but without much effort, with light movements.
• Resorcinol (in a 5 or 10 percent solution) has a good effect. This preparation has a disinfectant effect. Wipe the tongue with it.
• You can also disinfect your tongue with salicylic alcohol. Clean your tongue with it four times a day.

Treatment of black plaque should begin after the cause of its appearance has been identified.

Prevention of coated tongue

In addition to various diseases, the tongue can be coated due to poor oral hygiene. Dentists recommend carefully cleaning the tongue every time you brush your teeth. The tongue requires hygiene no less than the rest of the oral cavity.

Prevention of a coated tongue begins with paying close attention to your own health and body. Gastrointestinal diseases, which are most often the cause of a coated tongue, need to be treated promptly so that they do not become chronic.

Prognosis of coated tongue

The prognosis of a coated tongue directly depends on the prognosis of recovery from the disease that caused the coating. Coating on the tongue can be caused by a very wide range of diseases. In most cases, a coated tongue indicates that a person suffers from problems with the gastrointestinal tract. However, coating on the tongue can also be caused by fungal diseases of the oral cavity, decreased immunity, exacerbation of chronic diseases, infections, as well as HIV and cancer.

Timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease that led to the formation of plaque on the tongue most often gives a positive prognosis for treatment. The coated tongue will cease to be a problem as soon as the cause that served to activate the above-mentioned "alarm bell" is cured.

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