When the tongue is healthy, its color is pink, and its surface is covered with small nodules or papillae. However, sometimes a white layer forms on its surface. This layer, called tongue coating, comprises old cells, food debris, and bacteria. We teach you eight home remedies for white tongues.
Although tongue coating is harmless, aesthetically, it can be unpleasant. The thick layer can cause alterations in taste perception, bad breath, and a pasty sensation in the mouth. You can use natural remedies to reverse this and improve its color tone.
Contents
What can cause a white tongue?
As experts point out, the microbiota of the lining of the tongue is mainly composed of Bacteroides, Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicute. The tongue coating is primarily caused by them, in the company of food debris and dead cells. Of course, poor hygiene is also one of the causes of white tongue.
Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing help remove debris accumulating on the tongue’s surface. In turn, they keep the bacterial population under control. Neglect of oral hygiene causes, among other things, an increase in tongue coating.
On the other hand, some diseases, such as lupus, syphilis, jaundice, and oral candidiasis, can be behind the white tongue. Other of its possible catalysts are the following:
- fever;
- smoking or chewing tobacco ;
- intake of antibiotics and medications;
- inflamed papillae or dryness due to dehydration ;
- consumption of excessive alcohol;
- high intake of highly acidic or sugary foods.
How to prevent the tongue from turning white?
According to popular wisdom, the best solution for the white tongue is to eat a balanced diet to cleanse the body and increase defenses. In this sense, you must take into account the following:
- Drink enough amount of water a day. Minimum eight glasses a day.
- Avoid regular consumption of soft drinks and industrial drinks.
- Once a day, have some white, unsweetened yogurt.
- Eat raw vegetables (spinach, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, or onion).
- Eat fruits daily, not only those with a high vitamin C content (oranges, tangerines, kiwi, strawberries, or pineapple).
As already pointed out, oral hygiene is essential to avoid this discomfort. At least brush your teeth after each meal, and include flossing and rinsing as part of your habits.
Eight remedies to get rid of white tongue
Although many of them are not scientifically proven, the following remedies for white tongues are recommended in the popular sphere. You can try them but try to do it with caution.
1. Coarse salt
Salt is one of the best home remedies to treat white tongues. This works as a natural exfoliant, which helps to remove dead cells and other accumulated dirt particles. You can use it by gargling (adding a little coarse salt in a glass of water) warm or in the following way.
Procedure
- Sprinkle a little salt on the tongue.
- With the help of a toothbrush, rub gently for one minute.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process twice a day.
Experts have found saline tongue scraping to help control the bacterial population. Its use is safe, but avoid rubbing too hard.
2. Turmeric
Another of the home remedies that can help you get rid of your white tongue is the following mixture with turmeric, the famous spice with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Ingredients
- One teaspoon of turmeric (5 g)
- The juice of 1 lemon
Procedure
- Combine the turmeric with the lemon juice to form a paste.
- Rub this paste on your tongue and leave it on for 2-3 minutes.
- After the indicated time, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this procedure once a day for 3 or 5 days.
Another option is to gargle. For this, you will need ½ teaspoon of turmeric (3 g) and one glass of water (200 ml). Mix both ingredients and gargle two times a day.
3. White yogurt
This is another compelling product to get rid of the white tongue. Yogurt contains probiotics that kill the fungi that are sometimes behind this condition. This is why experts recommend it to treat oral candidiasis.
You should only consume one yogurt (125 ml) every day. Thus, in addition to improving your tongue, you will get benefits for your intestinal health.
4. Baking soda
It has been suggested that sodium bicarbonate mouth rinses may inhibit the growth of the bacterial population. Although experts have determined that its use is safe in dentistry, the truth is that it should be used in moderation. This is because its recurrent application can irritate the tongue’s surface.
Ingredients
- One teaspoon of baking soda (5 g)
- Water (the amount needed)
Procedure
- Mix the baking soda with the water to form a paste.
- Rinse your mouth for a few seconds with this remedy at least once a week.
5. Garlic
It is known that garlic can inhibit and control the bacterial growth of the oral cavity. Its effect is such that it is helpful against pathogens such as Streptococcus mutants, P. gingivitis, and S. mutans.
All you have to do is chew a clove of garlic a day. You can add it to your meals if you don’t like to chew it alone.
6. Aloe vera juice
Aloe vera juice is another of the home remedies for white tongue. It has been used with positive results for treating oral mucosa diseases, such as oral lichen planus, fibrosis of the oral submucosa, burning mouth syndrome, radiation-induced mucositis, and denture stomatitis. You can buy or prepare it at home with just a couple of ingredients.
Ingredients
- Two tablespoons of aloe vera juice (20 ml)
- Water (the amount needed)
Procedure
- Take one tablespoon of aloe vera juice and gargle for 3 minutes.
- After the indicated time, spit.
- Next, consume the other tablespoon of aloe vera juice.
7. Vegetable glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is another natural remedy to treat white tongue, mainly due to a dry mouth. Evidence supports its use to control bacterial growth and helps against bad breath. We can find it in health food stores.
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin (3 ml)
Procedure
- Put some vegetable glycerin in your mouth and brush gently with it.
- Rinse mouth with lukewarm water
8. Coconut oil
Evidence supports the antibacterial properties of coconut oil. Along with other home remedies for white tongues, it can help you fix the problem naturally. You must brush your tongue with oil in the morning and then wash your mouth normally.
Additional Tips to Get Rid of White Tongue
You can adopt other habits to get rid of the white tongue. They are straightforward; take note:
- Buy a tongue scraper and use it at least twice a day. Be careful when scraping, as you can hurt the surface of your tongue.
- Gargle with mouthwash every night before you go to sleep.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid the accumulation of new waste.