Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.

Causes of papillae hypertrophy or inflammation include, for example:

  1. Poor oral hygiene
  2. Dry mouth
  3. Dehydration (which is when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to work properly)
  4. Smoking or other oral tobacco use
  5. Alcohol use (excessive)
  6. Mouth breathing
  7. Low roughage diet (eating mostly soft or mashed foods)
  8. Mechanical irritation from sharp tooth edges or dental appliances
  9. Fever

Examples of conditions associated with white patches or other discolorations of your tongue include:

  1. Use of certain medications, such as prolonged use of antibiotics that may bring on an oral yeast infection
  2. Oral thrush
  3. Geographic tongue
  4. Leukoplakia
  5. Oral lichen planus
  6. Mouth cancer
  7. Tongue cancer
  8. Syphilis
  9. Immunosuppression caused by such diseases as HIV/AIDS

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Feb. 03, 2018

See also

  1. Oral thrush