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Health

Gray coating on the tongue

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Gray coating on the tongue often indicates a disruption of the body, but always the appearance of a plaque is associated with a serious disease. For example, a strong plaque that can be removed with a toothbrush is the norm, and should not cause concern.

The human language serves as a kind of indicator of the state of internal organs. A dense gray coating may appear against a background of a chronic disease or the development of a more serious pathology.

The more serious the disease, the darker and more intense will be the plaque on the tongue, in addition, an unpleasant odor may appear.

According to the location of the plaque, one can assume a disease, for example, a violation of the heart or lungs indicates plaque on the tip of the tongue, problems with the intestine or kidneys say plaque on the root of the tongue, the malfunction of the gallbladder or liver - plaque from the lateral parts of the tongue .

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Causes of gray plaque in the language

Gray coating on the tongue can appear for a variety of reasons.

Usually the appearance of gray plaque is associated with diseases of the digestive organs, and the severity of the disease can be judged by the color and density of the plaque (the darker the color, the heavier the form of the disease).

In addition, gray plaque appears with angina, pneumonia, HIV, dehydration, after a course of antibiotics, etc.

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Symptoms of gray plaque in the tongue

The main symptom of the plaque on the tongue is the change of color from gently pink to grayish (sometimes to dark gray). In severe pathologies, the usual color of the tongue through the plaque is not translucent.

Gray coating on the tongue can be accompanied by the appearance of an unpleasant odor. The sharp smell from a mouth happens at bad hygiene of a mouth, less distinct smell - at dehydration.

Gray with yellow coating indicates problems with the digestive system. If, in addition to the plaque, nothing disturbs (no nausea, abdominal pain, etc.), then you need to adjust the nutrition. It is necessary to refuse fried, sharp and salty dishes, to include in the diet fresh vegetables and fruits. If even after changing the diet, the raid does not disappear, then you can consult a gastroenterologist and undergo the necessary examination.

Yellow-gray coating on the tongue

A small yellow-gray coating on the tongue is quite normal, especially during a hot period. But if the color of the tongue acquires a rich shade, this is most likely due to diseases of the digestive organs, often other symptoms in addition to the plaque in the tongue (abdominal pain, nausea, upset of the stool, etc.).

A saturated yellow-gray shade usually indicates liver or gallbladder disease, in addition, plaque may appear due to stagnation of bile.

In addition, the yellowing of the tongue can begin at the initial stage of jaundice (in this case, the yellow part covers the lower part of the tongue).

Gray-yellow coating on the tongue

Gray-yellow coating on the tongue provokes diseases of the digestive system. A weak yellowish-gray coating on the tongue often arises from an unbalanced diet. In this case, you need to change your menu, give preference to fresh fruits, vegetables, porridges.

If there are no other signs of diseases of the digestive system, then the plaque in the tongue becomes more pronounced or does not pass after the change in the diet, it is recommended to consult with a specialist in order to identify the cause of the attack in the early stages and, if necessary, start treatment.

Gray-brown coating on the tongue

Not the natural color of the tongue, especially the brightly colored, indicates the incorrect operation of some internal organs. Gray plaque on the tongue often occurs with a stomach or bowel disease (for example, with an ulcer).

Gray-brown coating on the root of the tongue can often be seen in chronic alcoholics, smokers, and also with certain lung diseases.

Who to contact?

Diagnosis of gray plaque in the language

The color of the tongue can determine the state of the body. An experienced specialist, in terms of the color and location of the plaque, the intensity may suggest a disease.

In the east, healers believed that each part of the language is associated with a certain organ, and often by what part of the tongue the plaque appeared, healers determined which organ suffered. For example, the tip of the tongue is associated with the work of the heart, the lateral parts - with the liver, gall bladder, the middle part at the tip of the tongue - with the lungs, the middle part at the base - with the spleen, the root of the tongue - with the intestinal tract.

Usually the gray coating on the tongue passes after the normalization of nutrition, but with the disease of the internal organs will need treatment, after which the language will acquire its normal color.

The specialist can not diagnose the disease only by the location of the plaque, special attention is paid to the density of the plaque.

A light and thin coating on the tongue indicates that the disease is at an early stage of development, but a dark and dense patina indicates that the disease progresses to the full and is probably already at an advanced stage.

In case of uneven plaque, hygiene of the oral cavity should be carried out more carefully, but in some cases such a plaque is associated with serious disturbances in the functioning of the body.

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Treatment of gray plaque in the tongue

Gray plaque in the tongue is the result of any disruption in the body, malnutrition or poor oral hygiene.

First of all, it is necessary to establish the cause of the appearance of the plaque and begin treatment of the underlying disease, carefully perform hygienic procedures or adjust the diet.

To find out the cause of the plaque, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe additional methods of examination if you suspect a disease.

Prevention of gray plaque in the language

As already mentioned, a gray coating on the tongue is only an effect, and not the underlying disease.

To prevent the appearance of gray plaque in the tongue, it is necessary to monitor the oral hygiene (to clean the teeth and tongue every day and in the evening, use an antibacterial mouthwash if necessary, etc.), balance your diet (restrict fatty, salted, fried, etc.). Dishes, eat more vegetables, fruits).

Proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of plaque in the tongue, since a frequent cause of the plaque is a disruption of the digestive system.

In addition, to prevent flying in the language you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, not to abuse alcohol, quit smoking.

Forecast of gray plaque in the language

The forecast for the formation of a plaque on the surface depends on the cause of its appearance.

When the gray plaque in the tongue arises due to malnutrition or poor oral hygiene, in this case the prognosis will be favorable and the plaque will pass independently when the ration changes or improves oral hygiene.

If the appearance of plaque is associated with a violation of the work of any organ (heart, lungs, liver, intestines, etc.), the prognosis depends on the severity of the underlying disease.

Gray coating on the tongue, especially saturated, accompanied by pain in the digestive system, the appearance of bad breath from the mouth should alert and become the reason for contacting a specialist. The appearance of plaque may be a symptom of a progressive severe disease or functional disorder, so the earlier the cause is identified, the more effective the treatment process will be.

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