The presence of plaque in the language of one color or another, as a rule, speaks of any disease of the body. Therefore, do not self-medicate, you should undergo an examination, identify the underlying disease and begin to treat it. Upon examination, the doctor pays attention primarily to the color of the plaque in the tongue, which can tell a lot.
Causes
The reasons for a strong plaque in the language can be different, depending on the color. However, in most cases, its formation is associated with problems within the body. White plaque on the tongue is usually the most harmless look. It can be easily cleaned with conventional means (a toothbrush), it appears, as a rule, in the morning. The reason for the strong plaque in the white language may be problems with the immune system. A plaque in the form of white cheesy discharge indicates a fungal infection - candidiasis. If you do not pay attention to this symptom in time and do not treat it, then the color may gradually change. For example, a plaque may turn gray. And this speaks of more serious problems.
Gray plaque may also appear as a result of prolonged use of antibiotics. With a viral infection with an increase in temperature, the tongue may become yellow. It may also indicate problems with the digestive tract, the accumulation of toxic substances in the body.
A brown coating indicates a malfunction of the gallbladder, also appears with problems with the digestive system, and abdominal pain and upset stool are usually observed. In addition, in people who are addicted to alcoholic beverages, the tongue is also often covered with a brown coating. It can also appear with the frequent use of tea and coffee. In this case, plaque is easily cleaned with normal oral hygiene.
With gastritis, acid may enter the oral cavity from the stomach, in this case the tongue is covered with an orange coating. Blue tongue can talk about serious disorders in the body, usually appears with a lack of folic acid (vitamin B9), iron, kidney problems, and the cardiovascular system. It can also indicate poisoning by heavy metals, mercury. The most dangerous symptom is a black coating. It appears with severe lead poisoning of the body, with stagnation of bile, indicates a possible development of Crohn's disease.
The black
The appearance of black plaque in the tongue indicates the presence of a pathological process in the body. A similar manifestation is most often found in men. Such plaque can be caused by products that have the appropriate pigment. For example, blueberries, aronia or candies. The use of even one tablet of activated carbon will always cause darkening of the papillae of the tongue.
Their blackening may be associated with intoxication of the body, and in most cases it has a chronic form. This is due to the accumulation of toxic substances in the blood. If, along with a black coating, a bitter taste is felt, then we are talking about problems with the digestive organs. Among the other reasons for the appearance of such a raid are:
- stomach ulcer;
- diseases that occur with fever;
- improperly developed diets;
- fungal infection.
If we talk about children, then their black coating may be associated with the introduction of complementary foods. This means that the time to get acquainted with new products will have to be postponed.
Blue
If the surface of the tongue turns blue, then in most cases it is caused by the use of certain foods. Usually, the normal color returns quickly enough, otherwise it is recommended to seek medical help.
On the surface of the tongue there may be bluish patches that indicate the development of diamond-shaped glossitis. Most often, the disease is not accompanied by any symptoms and occurs in smoking middle-aged men. In some cases, the surface of the tongue acquires a blue tint due to anemia. This disease is associated with a lack of iron or vitamin B 12 in the body. The mucous membrane of the tongue can change its normal color to blue with insufficient oxygen in the blood. A similar problem is directly related to the respiratory organs, which provoke heart failure. Some patients with kidney problems also complain of a bluish surface of the tongue.
Orange
An orange coating on the tongue quite often appears after eating certain vegetables and fruits that have the corresponding pigment. As a rule, these are carrots and juice from it, as well as persimmons and apricot fruits. A number of drugs can change the shade of the papillae of the tongue, but a similar defect disappears immediately after stopping their use.
Of particular concern is a strong coating on the tongue in the morning, which cannot be removed with a toothbrush or scraper. Most often, this problem occurs when throwing gastric juice into the mouth. In addition, an orange plaque can indicate the development of digestive problems. We are talking about gastritis and peptic ulcer. If an orange plaque forms on the tongue, then this may indicate the following health problems:
- poisoning;
- infection (together with vomiting, diarrhea and dry mouth);
- the development of diabetes of any type;
- jaundice.
Yellow
Language can tell a lot about human health. The messenger of a possible disease is the appearance of yellow plaque on it. Yellow plaque on the tongue in most cases indicates that there are problems with the liver, digestive system and gall bladder. Often it appears in people with cholelithiasis. A slight yellow coating is the norm, but if it is bright in color and lasts more than 3-4 days, then you need to see a doctor.
A strong yellow coating on the tongue regularly appears among lovers of sugary drinks, tea, coffee, as well as alcohol and tobacco. Products with artificial colors can also cause yellow plaque. Another reason can be dehydration. If after refusing such products and eliminating possible causes, the raid disappeared in a day, then do not worry. But in the case when it holds much longer, the cause may be pathological changes in the body, such as inflammation of the biliary tract, hepatitis, or liver dysfunction.
Brown
A brown coating on the tongue can appear for various reasons: due to excessive enthusiasm for coffee, tea, in smokers, after consuming products containing coloring substances, after taking certain medications. In all these cases, plaque is easily removed by conventional hygiene methods, does not pose a danger to the body. But sometimes the presence of brown plaque on the tongue can talk about problems inside the body, the development of a disease. For example, such a plaque may appear when:
- neglected stomatitis;
- candidiasis;
- digestive system problems;
- diseases of the circulatory system;
- food poisoning;
- Addison's disease;
- diabetic coma.
In all these cases, a doctor’s consultation and appropriate treatment are required. Brown plaque can also be caused by a lack of vitamin PP in the body, dehydration. To get rid of it, you must first identify what exactly led to its appearance, and then take appropriate treatment.
Green
Green plaque in the tongue is quite rare, but it happens. Usually it appears in the center of the tongue. A language heavily coated with plaque can be due to various reasons:
- Failure to comply with oral hygiene. Very often people forget that it is necessary to brush not only teeth, but the entire oral cavity: the tongue, and the cheeks on the inside, and the sky.
- Passion for bad habits: alcohol, smoking, drugs.
- Improperly selected or poor nutrition, lack of vitamins in the body.
- Long-term use of antibiotics.
- Digestive system diseases.
- Fungal infections.
- HIV infection.
In addition, if a person has frequent and prolonged constipation, this can also lead to the formation of a green color in the tongue. If you notice that a green coating resembling bread mold has appeared on the tongue, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will help to make the correct diagnosis. He will identify the cause that led to the formation of green in the tongue, and prescribe adequate therapy.
Grey
The presence in the language of a constant gray dense plaque can talk about chronic diseases. This symptom is an occasion for an immediate visit to the doctor.
The reasons for a strong plaque in the child’s tongue can be problems with the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis), digestive system diseases (gastritis, ulcer), dysbiosis caused by prolonged use of drugs. This symptom can also indicate inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, including tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
A gray coating may indicate diseases of the heart, intestines, spleen, gall bladder, liver. To identify what exactly led to his education, you need to consult a doctor and undergo an examination. The thicker the plaque, the more serious the disease. Treatment depends on the diagnosis.
White
In some people, a strong white coating on the tongue in an adult and a child appears in the morning. Usually this does not mean any serious disorders in the body. It appears due to the fact that during sleep, bacteria accumulate in the mouth due to insufficient functioning of the salivary glands at night. There is nothing wrong with such manifestations; plaque is easily removed with a regular toothbrush during oral hygiene.
But sometimes a white coating can also speak about violations within the body. First of all, pay attention to its thickness. A thick layer of white plaque, which is easily peeled off, but quickly restored again, indicates a fungal infection. In addition, its location in the language can also talk about what is happening in the body. If a white coating appears in the central part, and has small cracks, this indicates the development of gastritis.
The reason for the strong white coating of the tongue on the left side indicates a malfunction in the liver, on the right - the pancreas. If it covers the tongue at the base along the edges, you should pay attention to the kidneys, in the middle - to the intestines. A plaque at the edges closer to the tip signals a lung disease, on the sides closer to the root - about kidney ailments.
Treatment
So, to get rid of yellow plaque on the tongue, drugs that enhance the flow of bile, drugs that restore the structure of the kidneys, vitamin complexes, antifungal and antiviral agents, antibiotics, and solutions for dehydration are usually used. When treating brown plaque, it is recommended to review the diet, use antifungal agents and also preparations containing B vitamins.
When blackening, it is necessary to carefully monitor oral hygiene, drink more water and limit the use of products containing coloring and toxic substances. With gray plaque, antibacterial and antiviral therapy is prescribed in the tongue, drugs for the general strengthening of the body, it is also recommended to limit the use of salt. If plaque in green is usually enough to adjust the diet, especially if there is a smell, and carefully observe oral hygiene.
Phytotherapy
In the treatment of plaque in the language of any color, herbal medicine helps with the main treatment. For this purpose, decoctions of plantain, yarrow, oregano and linden are prepared. A tablespoon of dry product is brewed with a glass of boiling water, insisted for several hours. Take 125 ml 2 times a day. A decoction of flax seeds helps very well, which stabilizes the digestive system, it is best to use it on an empty stomach in the morning. In addition, rinses from a combination of herbs are used: leaves of wild strawberry, mint, sage, chamomile in equal proportions are brewed with boiling water, insisted for half an hour and filtered. But all of these recommendations are for general advice. In the presence of other diseases, treatment can be longer and it is prescribed individually.
Other factors affecting the appearance of plaque
It is also worth remembering that plaque on the tongue can be caused by excessive consumption of coffee, tea, and smoking. Do not self-medicate, since this symptom indicates that something is not entirely in order with the body, you must first consult with specialists.