Probiotics are strains of bacteria that are good for the digestive system. While lots of research on probiotics focuses on improving gut health, probiotics may also be helpful for the mouth and tongue. A review in the European Journal of Dentistry noted that probiotic bacteria can occupy the mouth as well as the gut. In some cases, these bacteria can help fight off infectious yeasts and other bad strains of bacteria. While the evidence is not conclusive, probiotics may still help balance the environment in the mouth and avoid a white tongue.
A range of probiotics is available for purchase online. Adding food-grade baking soda to a toothbrush and scrubbing the tongue, teeth, and gums may help reduce the bacteria that cause a white tongue. One study found that baking soda kills harmful bacteria that commonly cause infections in the mouth, such as Streptococcus and Candida. Eating raw garlic may help the body fight off infections caused by Candida.
Research noted that a compound in garlic called allicin was effective at fighting off the harmful strain Candida albicans. People can eat a clove of raw garlic whole each day or chop it up and eat it with a little olive oil to reduce the risk of white tongue. Gently scraping the tongue from back to front may also help reduce and remove the bacteria and debris that settle in the mouth.
Many companies make specific tools for tongue scraping, available for purchase online. However, the edge of a spoon can be used just as easily. While it is not always possible to avoid getting a white tongue, basic oral hygiene can help prevent many cases. This includes brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Many people also benefit from using a tongue scraper every day or brushing the tongue with a toothbrush.
Lifestyle choices may also help prevent a white tongue at times. Avoiding tobacco products and alcoholic drinks may help, as well as eating a varied and nutritious diet.
Going to a dentist every 6 months for a checkup will help keep the mouth as clean as possible. People should report any worrying symptoms to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. The outlook for a white tongue is typically very good. In many cases, it is harmless, even if it may be distressing to see. Symptoms may not always respond to improved hygiene or lifestyle choices right away, but improved oral health is suggested for anyone with a white tongue.
In rare cases, a white tongue is an indication of a serious underlying condition. Following the treatment plan set out by a doctor is the best way of relieving symptoms. Read the article in Spanish. Wounds on the tongue may need stitches if they are large or deep. Learn about home care strategies and when to contact a doctor here. A sore on the side of the tongue is usually a canker sore or cold sore.
However, sores are sometimes symptoms of other conditions. Tongue coating is one of the most important foundations of tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine. It plays an important role in determining and treating health issues. Research published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that tongue coating is caused by processes of the spleen and stomach, and the tongue coating changes rapidly and obviously in the development of chronic gastritis , or inflammation of the stomach.
A thick white coating on the back or at the center of the tongue may be a sign of an overloaded digestive system. This can be caused by an imbalance of good bacteria in the gut, nutritional deficiencies and stress.
An imbalance of the healthy bacteria in your gut can lead to oral thrush and a white tongue coating. Taking probiotic supplements and eating probiotic foods helps balance the bacteria in your gut and treat health conditions that are related to candida.
Several studies have suggested that probiotics can be beneficial for oral health purposes because they inhibit the adhesion of unwanted microbes. Probiotic bacteria seem to affect both oral microbiota and immune responses, so they can help prevent tongue inflammation and the growth of bacteria on the tongue. One of the many baking soda uses is its ability to exfoliate the tongue, removing any residue that causes white tongue, and maintain good pH levels in mouth by neutralizing acids.
Plus, research shows that baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, possesses substantial inhibitory activity against Streptococcus mutans in saliva and plaque. Then add the mixture to your toothbrush, and brush your tongue and mouth. Coconut oil pulling is one of the best ways to remove bacteria from the mouth. This oral detoxification is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurveda advises oil pulling to purify the entire system, as it holds that each section of the tongue is connected to different organs of the body. The oil sucks the debris and toxins out of your mouth and creates a clean, antiseptic oral environment. Research shows that oil pulling can be used as an effective remedy in maintaining and improving oral health. It has shown to be just as effective as mouthwash at improving bad breath and reducing the microorganisms that may cause the buildup of bacteria in the mouth and white tongue.
Coconut oil is highly absorbable, and it has the power to kill candida. Oil pulling is simply done by swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10—20 minutes. Then spit the oil out in the trash, rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth as normal. There are many benefits of sea salt , including its natural antibacterial activities, so by gargling and swishing sea salt with water, you can eliminate bacteria and debris that causes white tongue.
Plus, the coarse texture of sea salt works as an exfoliant, helping remove the white coating on the tongue. In a study , out of 35 individuals with yellow tongue coating, 32 had acute or severe eczema.
Conditions that cause inflammation of the gastric lining have been known to cause yellow tongue coating. Several studies have confirmed that a yellow, thickened tongue coating is associated with chronic cases of gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining, especially when caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. Though anyone can develop yellow tongue at any age, a few factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Risk factors for yellow tongue include:.
Oral hygiene is an essential factor. The same habits and remedies that help treat yellow tongue also help prevent it. Common ways to treat and prevent yellow tongue include:. For cases where yellow tongue causes pain, burning, or discomfort, a doctor may prescribe medication or prescription grade mouth rinses or washes. Doctors only prescribe medications for severe symptoms, or when the condition has a specific cause, such as geographic tongue disease.
In some instances, especially when accompanied by noticeable symptoms, yellow tongue can be a sign of more serious health complications, such as jaundice. The only complications associated with yellow tongue are those linked to more serious underlying conditions, such as jaundice.
The tongue is a sensitive and complex muscle, but it can hurt for a wide variety of reasons. This Knowledge Center article explains a number of common….
Looking in a mirror and seeing that the tongue has turned orange may be alarming, especially when a person has eaten nothing containing food coloring….
It is common to have a green tongue after eating or drinking something containing green food coloring, but an unexplained green tongue can indicate an…. Hairy tongue is when the bumps on the tongue's surface get bigger, resulting in a rough texture, and a discolored and furry appearance.
It happens…. A look at swollen taste buds, a condition where the taste buds become irritated and red. Included is detail on when to see a doctor and the outlook. What you should know about yellow tongue. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.
0コメント