{"id":4259,"date":"2021-02-03T14:28:20","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T19:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/?p=4259"},"modified":"2021-02-23T11:43:54","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T16:43:54","slug":"white-tongue-causes-conditions-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/white-tongue-causes-conditions-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"White tongue: Causes, conditions, and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

The term \u201cwhite tongue\u201d refers to a <\/span>symptom that causes a thick coating<\/span><\/a> of a white film on your tongue. Sometimes it may only cover patches of your tongue. In other cases, it may cover the entire surface of the tongue, including the back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Accompanying symptoms can include bad breath, redness, or a foul taste in your mouth. And while you might worry when you have it, white tongue is rarely a cause for concern. It can usually be easily treated at home and is most likely a temporary condition. In any case, you should see your dentist when you notice white tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Causes of white tongue<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are many causes of white tongue, the <\/span>most common of which<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is poor oral hygiene. When this occurs, it can can affect the papillae or small bumps that contain your taste buds on your tongue. In such a situation, these papillae may grow enlarged, swell up, and become inflamed. As a result of the swelling, bacteria, dirt, food, fungi, and dead cells get trapped between the papillae. This trapped debris gives the appearance of a white coating on your tongue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several causes that can lead to the development of a white tongue. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n