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Grayish plaque on the tongue
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Gray plaque on the tongue often indicates a malfunction of the body, but the appearance of plaque is always associated with a serious illness. For example, a weak plaque that can be removed with a toothbrush is normal and should not cause concern.
The human tongue serves as a kind of indicator of the state of internal organs. A dense gray coating may appear against the background of a chronic disease or the development of a more serious pathology.
The more serious the disease, the darker and more intense the coating on the tongue will be, and an unpleasant odor may also appear.
The location of the plaque can indicate a particular disease, for example, plaque on the tip of the tongue indicates problems with the heart or lungs, plaque on the root of the tongue indicates problems with the intestines or kidneys, plaque on the sides of the tongue indicates problems with the gallbladder or liver.
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Causes of grey coating on the tongue
A grey coating on the tongue can appear for a variety of reasons.
Usually, the appearance of a gray coating is associated with diseases of the digestive organs, and the severity of the disease can be judged by the color and density of the coating (the darker the color, the more severe the form of the disease).
In addition, a gray coating appears with tonsillitis, pneumonia, HIV, dehydration, after a course of antibiotics, etc.
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Symptoms of a Gray Coating on the Tongue
The main symptom of tongue coating is a change in color from soft pink to grayish (sometimes to dark gray). In severe pathologies, the normal color of the tongue does not show through the coating.
A grey coating on the tongue may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor. A sharp odor from the mouth occurs with poor oral hygiene, a less pronounced odor - with dehydration.
Gray with yellow plaque indicates problems with the digestive organs. If nothing else bothers you except plaque (no nausea, abdominal pain, etc.), then you should adjust your diet. You should give up fried, spicy and salty foods, include fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. If the plaque does not disappear even after changing your diet, you can consult a gastroenterologist and undergo the necessary examination.
Yellow-gray coating on the tongue
A slight yellow-gray coating on the tongue is quite normal, especially in hot weather. But if the tongue acquires a rich shade, then this is most likely associated with diseases of the digestive organs; often, in addition to the coating on the tongue, other symptoms may bother you (abdominal pain, nausea, bowel disorder, etc.).
A rich yellow-gray hue usually indicates liver or gallbladder disease; in addition, plaque may appear due to bile stagnation.
In addition, yellowing of the tongue can begin at the initial stage of jaundice (in this case, the lower part of the tongue is covered with a yellow coating).
Gray-yellow coating on the tongue
Gray-yellow coating on the tongue is caused by diseases of the digestive organs. A weak yellowish-gray coating on the tongue often occurs due to an unbalanced diet. In this case, you need to change your menu, give preference to fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals.
If there are no other signs of digestive diseases, then the coating on the tongue becomes more pronounced or does not go away after changing the diet, it is recommended to consult a specialist to identify the cause of the coating in the early stages and, if necessary, begin treatment.
Gray-brown coating on the tongue
An unnatural color of the tongue, especially a pronounced one, indicates improper functioning of some internal organs. Gray coating on the tongue often occurs with a stomach or intestinal disease (for example, with an ulcer).
A gray-brown coating on the root of the tongue can often be seen in chronic alcoholics, smokers, and also in some lung diseases.
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Diagnosis of grey coating on the tongue
The color of the tongue can determine the state of the body. An experienced specialist can suggest a particular disease based on the color and location of the plaque, its intensity.
In the East, healers believed that each part of the tongue was connected to a certain organ, and often by the part of the tongue where the plaque appeared, healers determined which organ was affected. For example, the tip of the tongue is connected to the work of the heart, the sides - to the liver, gall bladder, the middle part at the tip of the tongue - to the lungs, the middle part at the base - to the spleen, the root of the tongue - to the intestinal tract.
Usually, the gray coating on the tongue goes away after normalizing nutrition, but if there is a disease of the internal organs, treatment will be required, after which the tongue will acquire its normal color.
A specialist cannot diagnose a disease only by the location of plaque; special attention is paid to the density of 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 coating indicates that the disease is progressing in full and may already be at an advanced stage.
If the plaque is uneven, you should perform more thorough oral hygiene, but in some cases, such plaque is associated with serious problems in the body.
Treatment of grey coating on the tongue
A grey coating on the tongue is a consequence of some disorder in the body, poor nutrition or poor oral hygiene.
First of all, it is necessary to establish the cause of the plaque and begin treating the underlying disease, carefully perform hygiene procedures or adjust the diet.
To determine the cause of the plaque, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe additional examination methods if any disease is suspected.
Prevention of grey coating on the tongue
As already mentioned, a gray coating on the tongue is only a consequence, not an underlying disease.
To prevent the appearance of a gray coating on the tongue, it is necessary to maintain oral hygiene (brush your teeth and tongue every morning and evening, use an antibacterial mouthwash if necessary, etc.), balance your diet (limit fatty, salty, fried, etc. foods, eat more vegetables and fruits).
Proper nutrition plays an important role in preventing plaque on the tongue, since a common cause of plaque is a malfunction of the digestive system.
In addition, to prevent plaque on the tongue, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, not abuse alcohol, and quit smoking.
Gray Tongue Coating Prognosis
The prognosis for the formation of plaque on the surface of the tongue depends on the reason for its appearance.
When a grey coating on the tongue occurs due to poor diet or poor oral hygiene, then in this case the prognosis will be favorable and the coating will go away on its own with a change in diet or improved oral hygiene.
If the appearance of plaque is associated with a malfunction of any organ (heart, lungs, liver, intestines, etc.), then the prognosis depends on the severity of the underlying disease.
A grey coating on the tongue, especially a thick one, accompanied by pain in the digestive system, and the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth should alert you and become a reason to contact a specialist. The appearance of a coating can be a symptom of a progressive serious disease or functional disorder, therefore, the sooner the cause is identified, the more effective the treatment process will be.
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