From time immemorial, the state of human health has been evaluated by the appearance of the oral cavity. Surprisingly, a white coating that appeared on the tongue can signal that there is some kind of disease in the body. This secret was known by ancient healers and healers. When examining a patient, modern doctors also carefully examine the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. However, many people are interested in how the state of the body can be associated with a white tongue. Why does such a raid appear?
Reasons for the appearance
The condition of the tongue directly depends on the effects of saliva. The results of studies of this colorless liquid indicate the presence of a special protein in it, under the influence of which regeneration of the oral mucosa occurs.
Salivation can be significantly reduced in stressful situations or with fright. When the olfactory and taste glands are activated or due to chewing, saliva begins to be released intensely. Undoubtedly, the vital activity of microflora in the oral cavity and the state of the surface of the tongue depend on its quantity.
The language of a healthy person is pink with a slightly noticeable whitish bloom, consisting of saliva, food debris and bacteria. Visual changes in the state of the oral cavity can occur due to physiological and pathological reasons.
Why is white plaque in the language: physiological features
As a rule, such manifestations are quite harmless. One of the reasons for the formation of a white layer in the mouth may be insufficient production of saliva as a result of dehydration. This happens after physical exertion, in hot weather, or even after waking up. Plaque can occur in people who abuse alcohol, strong tea, or coffee. Smoking is also a reason for the formation of such clusters.
Another reason why the tongue turns white can be malnutrition. A lack of carbohydrates with an unbalanced diet and diet for weight loss harm the natural process of self-cleaning. As a result of a deficiency of essential nutrients, the body receives stress. Such situations lead to the rapid breakdown of subcutaneous fat, in which toxins are also present. Therefore, many followers of various diets at one "fine" moment can find in the tongue a white coating and an unpleasant, breathtaking acetone. If you adjust the daily diet, then such manifestations will disappear.
Many of us must have watched a white tongue in our morning. Why does this happen after sleep? The answer to this question is quite simple. The body rests at night, and all processes occurring in it slow down. This also applies to the functioning of the salivary glands. The appearance of dry mouth provokes a certain increase in conditionally pathogenic microflora on the oral mucosa. Usually it is accompanied by the appearance of an unpleasant odor and stale breath. In a healthy person, after basic hygiene procedures, plaque disappears. However, if the white layer remains even after cleaning the tongue, then this is a clear sign that something went wrong in the body.
Pathological factors
Other reasons explaining why the tongue is white may be more serious. If it is not possible to get rid of plaque by simple methods, most likely, some kind of pathology began to develop in the body.
The white layer that appears as a result of some diseases has an unpleasant odor, and it is difficult to remove with improvised means. Neither a toothbrush, nor mouth fresheners, nor chewing gum will help here.
Such "deposits" are not some kind of disease, they are symptoms or consequences of the disease. This is the main reason why the language has a white coating. There may be several factors for the occurrence of such a phenomenon. Let's try to consider them.
Oral diseases
So why is white plaque in the language? One of the probable causes may be an infectious disease of the oral cavity - candidiasis. Usually, yeast microorganisms (Candida fungi) cause inflammation. Infection with this disease can occur both by airborne droplets and in direct contact with infected products and objects. Symptoms of a similar pathology are the formation of white curd spots on the surface of the mucous membrane of the mouth or tongue.
Stomatitis is a very common disease in people with weakened immune systems. Those who use dentures are at risk of contracting stomatitis. In addition, it is this factor that will most often be the answer to the question of many parents: “Why does the child have a white tongue?” Prevention of the occurrence of such inflammation is compliance with sanitary standards.
The cause of white deposits in the tongue, accompanied by a putrid odor, can be dental problems. Ordinary caries, not cured in time, and its consequences provide all the conditions for the full functioning of pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. Thanks to saliva, they successfully settle on the tongue, gums and other teeth, causing new diseases and destruction of enamel.
Lichen flat red is another reason for the appearance of white plaque, appearing in the form of a lace pattern of irregular shape. However, such manifestations can rarely be diagnosed, since they pass on their own.
Leukoplakia is a disease in which there is an intensive growth of cells in the body, including in the oral cavity. A plaque formed in the tongue is easily removed, but after a while appears again. This pathology is the answer to the question of why the language is white in completely healthy people. The fact is that most often leukoplakia is a harbinger of the development of cancer.
Diseases of the internal organs
The appearance of white plaque on the tongue can signal the development of certain gastric and intestinal ailments. Most often, plaque is one of the signs of gastritis and stomach ulcers. However, a similar symptom may accompany other gastrointestinal diseases. In particular, with colitis and enterocolitis, a white coating may appear on the tongue in an adult.
Why does the layer become noticeably thicker and acquire a grayish-yellow tint with inflammation of the stomach and intestines? This is due to the fact that in the genesis of the development of the disease there is a defeat of the body by various infections (salmonella, Escherichia coli and other harmful bacteria), which also settle on the oral mucosa. They cause recurrent forms of aphthous stomatitis.
If the appearance of white deposits is accompanied by a burning tongue, the formation of ulcers or an increase in temperature, then this is a clear sign of the presence of a duodenal ulcer. The same symptoms, accompanied by the appearance of a white-gray layer on the tongue, can be observed with inflammation of the gallbladder. Sometimes, such manifestations occur in acute or chronic cholecystitis.
Why does a newborn have a white tongue
Often, the appearance of a whitish plaque in the tongue of a newborn is explained by the fact that the baby feeds exclusively on breast milk or milk mixtures. Food remains in the newborn's mouth. Therefore, they say, and a plaque appears.
A serious threat to the baby's health is a disease known to the people as thrush (the same candidiasis of the oral cavity). Most often, babies deprived of breastfeeding suffer from the manifestations of such a pathology. However, very often thrush occurs when breastfeeding. The reasons for its development lie in the violation of hygiene and sanitation. Every mother should remember that nipples and bottles must be thoroughly sterilized before feeding, and breasts must be washed. After feeding, it is recommended to give the baby a sip of water - this will clear the mouth of food debris and remove the white film on the tongue.
When a thrush appears, the child begins to act up, cry and refuse to eat. If the layer is removed from the tongue, then ulcers can be found under it. This will be the cause of concern for the baby. Therefore, with the first symptoms of thrush in a newborn, you need to see a doctor, otherwise there is a risk of the disease becoming more severe.
Why does the child have a white coating on the tongue? One of the reasons may be banal dysbiosis. This intestinal syndrome occurs in many children under the age of one year. Especially often, an imbalance of the intestinal flora develops in weakened and premature babies. The risk group for dysbacteriosis includes children who are breast-fed.
Dysbacteriosis can concern not only babies. Imbalance of microflora in the intestine due to the use of antibiotics is another answer to the question of why white plaque in the tongue of an adult.
What will the localization of the raid tell?
According to many ancient teachings, certain organs of a language correspond to a particular organ or even the whole body system. So, according to ancient Indian Ayurveda, the condition of the tip of the tongue and its anterior third tells about the functioning of the heart and lungs, the middle of the tongue tells about the work of the spleen, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, and the root of the tongue tells about the state of the kidneys. An unhealthy appearance of the lateral surfaces indicates difficulties in the liver. To this day, folk healers and healers, relying on such teachings, can immediately answer why the language has a white coating.
The truth of ancient knowledge is partly recognized by modern medicine. However, to make a more accurate diagnosis and conduct adequate treatment, doctors study the history of the development of pathological manifestations, prescribe certain examinations and study the results of the analyzes.
How to remove plaque yourself
Plaque on the tongue and oral mucosa does not always require treatment. Before contacting specialists with a question about why the language is white, you need to try to get rid of these manifestations using conventional hygiene procedures. Regular brushing and the use of special tools to clean the surface of the tongue help to cope with the formation of plaque.
You can remove the unsightly layer with a regular teaspoon, dental floss or a piece of bandage soaked in soda solution. By the way, it is such an alkaline solution that is used in the fight against infant thrush.
Often, to get rid of the film of white plaque, it is enough to abandon some bad habits and adjust your daily diet.
Medical intervention
In cases where the formed layer cannot be removed or the question arose sharply about why white plaque is in the child’s tongue, you will have to consult a therapist or pediatrician. Only after a thorough examination and collection of an anamnesis will the doctor develop the necessary treatment regimen or refer you to another specialist.
We have already said what leads to plaque formation, so that you can already quite answer the question of why the language is white. As a rule, such a phenomenon accompanies many serious diseases. Therefore, clarifying the diagnosis is an extremely important point in treatment. Depending on the type of plaque, its density, location, color and smell, you may need to consult a dentist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist or infectious disease specialist.
To identify the culprit in the formation of plaque and find out why the language is white (photos of some forms of pathological manifestations are presented above), the doctor will definitely prescribe a set of tests. First of all, laboratory blood tests are performed. In particular, it will require the study of a general blood test, with which you can detect the presence of an inflammatory process. Using a biochemical study, you can assess the state of metabolism, the work of internal organs and reveal the level of protein in the blood. In addition, to determine the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the result of a coprogram will be required.
The doctor may prescribe bacteriological culture on the flora of the oral mucosa. In this case, scraping is taken from the tongue and studied in the laboratory for microorganisms that have settled in the oral cavity, their quantity and ratio.
A gastroenterologist can give his answer to the question of why a white tongue in an adult. Previously, he can recommend to undergo studies of the internal surface of the gastrointestinal tract with the help of the FGDS procedure and ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
To summarize
So, the white coating in the tongue itself, which is easily removed during basic hygienic procedures, is a completely harmless phenomenon. However, it may indicate the presence of serious and sometimes dangerous diseases. Therefore, one cannot neglect the signals of the body. In cases where white deposits in the tongue are difficult to remove or soon reappear, it is not worth pulling with a specialist visit. Timely revealed diseases of the internal organs are the key to a full and healthy life.