Causes of White Film on Tongue

White film on the tongue has often been linked to bad breath and so it becomes imperative to get rid of this white coat formed on the surface of the tongue.

People in the United States brush their teeth twice daily, but surprisingly many ignore the process of cleaning the tongue. Neglecting this process of scraping the tongue makes it unusually white.

White tongue can also be due to build up of dead skin cells. As the dead skin cells begin to accumulate, white film eventually covers the superficial layer of the tongue.

Food debris stuck on the tongue many times causes white coating. So, rinsing the mouth properly after every meal as well as drinking adequate water everyday is necessary to prevent white coating on the tongue.

Sore throat followed by trouble swallowing, headache, fever, and rash are some of the symptoms of strep throat. In this condition, the tongue typically shows white spots on its surface. Children in the age group of 6-15 are commonly diagnosed with strep throat.

In this condition, the lining of the mouth is infected with the fungus Candida albicans. Oral thrush is typically marked by formation of white patches or lesions on the tongue and the inner cheeks. Besides appearance of creamy white lesions, this fungal infection can leave a bad taste in the mouth.

Certain bacteria can easily live in places where there is extremely less oxygen. These are known as anaerobic bacteria that exist exactly underneath the uppermost layer of the tongue. These bacteria release sulfurous compounds from time to time that eventually reach the surface of the tongue and with no regular cleaning these compounds accumulate, eventually causing white tongue.

Treatment will depend on what is causing this ugly matter to appear on the tongue. For instance, the build up of dead skin cells is an indication of poor oral hygiene. So, ensuring that tongue cleaning is given prime importance on a regular basis can work wonders to get rid and prevent white film from forming on the surface of the tongue.

On the other hand, patients suffering from oral thrush should take unsweetened yogurt everyday. The good bacteria in yogurt helps to alleviate the symptoms of this fungal infection.

With daily consumption of yogurt, the presence of good bacteria increases, which helps to overcome oral thrush. In case that doesn't work, the doctor may recommend antifungal medicines. People suffering from strep throat require urgent medical attention as delay in treatment may increase the risk of kidney inflammation.

Although cleaning the tongue is essential, one should refrain from using a lot of pressure while scraping it with a tongue cleaner. Apply those tongue cleaning strokes without pressing too hard on the surface. Also, there is no need to overdo it, just 2-4 strokes are enough to clean the tongue.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.