Is a White Patch on the Tongue a Cause for Alarm?

If your tongue is totally or partially white, you are probably concerned. White tongue symptoms can involve a thick white film coating the entire tongue or just the back part. It can also manifest as white patches on the tongue. Typically, white tongue is nothing serious, but just a sign of trapped bacteria or dead cells on the surface of the tongue. In some cases, however, it’s important to discuss a white tongue with your dentist.

White Tongue Causes

Why is your tongue white? Often, white film on the tongue is the result of bacteria and food trapped on your tongue’s surface, caught in the raised bumps known as papillae. There are some other common causes that aren’t serious. Ruling them out can help you determine next steps to take.

• Have you been sick or had a fever? Sometimes, a temporary white coating forms because of dehydration during an illness. If you’ve been on antibiotics, your white tongue may be caused by a yeast infection in the mouth.
• Do you breathe through your mouth? Mouth breathing can dry out the oral tissues and lead to white tongue.
• Are you a smoker, or do you use tobacco in other forms? Smoking, chewing tobacco, dipping, and vaping can all cause white tongue.
• Is your alcohol consumption a daily occurrence? This can lead to dehydration and white tongue.
• How is your oral hygiene? Brushing at least twice a day, including brushing or scraping your tongue, and flossing regularly can help prevent white tongue.
• Do you suffer from dry mouth? If you have a medical condition that causes dry mouth, or take medications that can cause this problem, that could be the cause of your white tongue.
• Do you wear dentures? Dentures and sharp objects can damage the tongue, causing white spots.
• Does your diet lack fruit and vegetables? A diet with too little produce and too much soft food can cause the tongue to develop a white film.

White Tongue: Symptom of Underlying Conditions?

Sometimes, white tongue is the result of a more serious issue. If there is a thick white coating on the back of the tongue, or the white tongue persists longer than a few days, seek medical attention to determine the cause. Some underlying health issues that can cause a white tongue include:

• Oral thrush: a fungal infection caused by yeast overgrowth, this can cause creamy white patches.
• Syphilis: Syphilis and other STIs can cause white patches and ulcers that require medical treatment.
• Geographic Tongue: If the patches in your mouth are irregular, smooth, and have white borders, this could be the problem.
• Lichen Planus: This is a chronic inflammatory condition, and it causes white lacy patches or lines. 

Potential Complications and Risks to Tongue Health of Untreated White Tongue

If your white tongue doesn’t resolve in a few days, it may be time to seek treatment. Left untreated, white spots caused by bacteria can lead to gum disease, which can result in systemic illness, spreading to other parts of the body, including your heart. Some white patches can even lead to oral cancer if they’re not addressed.

Treatment Options and How to Prevent White Tongue

Often, white tongue goes away without treatment. To speed its resolution, try drinking plenty of water, brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper, and using mild fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. If it’s painful, try some over the counter painkillers. You can also often prevent white tongue by avoiding cigarettes, vape pens, and other forms of tobacco, which expose the tongue to toxins, and avoiding any foods that irritate the tongue. If the condition lingers more than a few weeks, your tongue hurts or itches, or you have trouble eating or speaking, seek medical care, either from your doctor or your dentist. If the symptoms are caused by lichen planus, you may be prescribed steroidal mouthwash and steroid spray. If your white tongue is caused by a fungal infection, you may need antifungal medication, and if it’s an infection like syphilis, you will need antibiotics. If your doctor is concerned that the patches could be precancerous, it may be necessary to remove them.

FAQs

• Are White Spots on the Tongue Contagious?
  • Generally speaking, no. If the white spots are the result of poor hygiene or dehydration, they are not contagious. However, white spots caused by thrush can be spread through kissing or sharing things like utensils. Of course, if your white spots are caused by syphilis, that is a highly contagious condition.
• Can White Tongue Be Caused by Piercing?
  • After a tongue piercing, it’s not uncommon to notice a white coating on the tongue, or a white ring of tissue around the piercing. These are generally signs of healing, but if you are concerned about bacterial growth, consider an antifungal mouthwash.
• Does Stress Cause White Tongue?
  • In fact, it can. Stress can cause your immune system to weaken, allowing infections like oral thrush to take hold.
• How Long Does It Take White Spots to Go Away?
  • Usually, white tongue resolves fairly quickly. If it’s just a matter of dehydration or poor hygiene, you can expect it to improve within just a few days. If it’s not better within a few weeks, see a doctor.

For More Oral Hygiene Tips and Answers to Your Questions, You Can Trust CNS Dental

One way to help prevent symptoms like white spots on your tongue is to see your dentist regularly, for cleanings and checkups. Whether you simply need a routine check-up or you’re looking for advanced care like restorative or cosmetic dentistry, CNS Dental of Crystal City Arlington is here for you. We are committed to providing our clients with expert dental services, using state of the art technology, in a relaxing, inviting environment. Treating patients across the Arlington, VA and D.C. metro area, we offer everything from dental cleanings to cosmetic dentistry to Invisalign® to emergency dental services, and our compassionate staff works to make each visit as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Contact us through our website for more information or to schedule an appointment.