
10 Simple Home Remedies for Dealing with a White Coated Tongue
Did you know that the tongue is actually one of the strongest muscles in your body? It also helps you taste the foods that you eat, swallow foods, and talk to people. If your tongue is healthy, it should be pinkish in color and have small nodules that are referred to as papillae.
Some people may notice a white coating over their tongue, at various times. This is actually a fairly common problem and it can cause a couple of annoying side effects, such as a bitter taste in your mouth and bad breath.
The primary reason for this white coating is the growth of bacteria and dead cells that become stuck along inflamed papillae, due to food debris. The inflammation of the papillae is often caused by dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes, and a dry mouth. Not taking care of your mouth and eating foods that have a high acidic content can also increase the chances of you developing a white tongue.
Along with your habits, there are various diseases that can also lead to the inflammation of the papillae along your tongue. Liver congestion, syphilis, leukoplakia, candida, lupus, and jaundice can also cause your tongue to become coated in white.
Generally, this condition is harmless and the most common cause is dehydration. To correct this issue, you should first try drinking more water or natural fruit juices. Stay hydrated throughout the day. If the problem does not go away, then you may want to try using a different solution.
When drinking more water does not help you deal with your white-coated tongue, then consider using one of the following ten home remedies.
Salt
Salt could be one of the best remedies for treating a white-coated tongue. Salt has a naturally coarse texture that can help scrape the tongue and remove dead cells. It also contains antiseptic properties that could kill bacteria.
To use salt to attempt and cure your white tongue, sprinkle a small amount of salt on your tongue and gently scrub using a toothbrush. Scrub for about one minute and then rinse your mouth with warm water. Gargle and spit the salt water from your mouth. Use this technique twice per day. This should provide results within one week.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has strong antibacterial properties that could kill bacteria that may be accumulating on your tongue. When using hydrogen peroxide, use a solution that is only 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. If you cannot find this type of hydrogen peroxide at your local grocery store or drug store, visit a health store or a whole foods store.
Combine one-part hydrogen peroxide to two-parts water. Dip a toothbrush into the solution and gently scrape your tongue with the toothbrush. After a minute or two, spit the solution out of your mouth and then rinse with water. You may need to rinse your mouth a couple of times to remove the hydrogen peroxide.
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin could also be used to attempt and treat your white-coated tongue. This treatment is more likely to work if the cause of your white tongue is due to a dry mouth. It can also help to eliminate bad breath.
Place a small amount of vegetable glycerin directly on your tongue. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub your tongue. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with warm water. Thoroughly rinse your mouth. Repeat this remedy twice per day until you have treated your white-coated tongue.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an old practice that is known to help treat white-coated tongues. This process helps to remove yeast and toxins. In the morning, before you brush your teeth, place one-tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth. Swish the oil around inside your mouth, making sure that it gets between your teeth and underneath your tongue. Try to do this for at least 15 minutes. Afterwards, spit the oil out of your mouth and then rinse with warm water.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that can be used for dozens of different home remedies, including curing white-coated tongues. It contains very powerful antibacterial properties. To use turmeric to treat your white-coated tongue, combine a ½ a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a small amount of lemon juice. This mixture should create a paste. Add the lemon juice slowly, until you get a smooth paste. Scrub the paste along your tongue, using a toothbrush, and then rinse your mouth with warm water.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe Vera juice contains anti-inflammatory properties that can treat various oral conditions, including white-coated tongues. The antimicrobial properties can kill bacteria and eliminate bad breath. Place one-tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice in your mouth. Swish the juice around for a couple of minutes and then spit it out. Afterwards, drink one-tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice.
Probiotics
Probiotics could be used to attempt and treat a white-coated tongue. This is especially useful if the white-coated tongue is due to a candida fungus. Probiotics contain cultures that could slow the growth of bacteria and fungus.
Combine the powder from one probiotic capsule with a small amount of water. Brush your teeth as you normally would. Afterwards, use the solution as a mouth rinse. Swish the solution around and then swallow it. Then drink a glass of cold water. Use this treatment each day for one week.
Indian Lilac
Indian lilac contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that may be useful for dealing with a white-coated tongue. It can help get rid of bacteria, fungus, and yeast. Indian lilac is also a blood purifier that can expel toxins from your body. Apply a small amount of Indian lilac to your tongue and then brush with your toothbrush. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with warm water.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is something that many people have in their kitchen. It can help exfoliate the tongue, removing dead cells, while promoting a proper pH balance. Mix a small amount of baking soda with a little bit of lemon juice. This should create a paste. Continue adding a small amount of lemon juice until you have a paste and then use your toothbrush to apply the mixture to your tongue. Rinse your mouth, using water, after you have brushed your tongue. Use this remedy once per day, for at least one week.
Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver will help get rid of your white-coated tongue, if you have an abundance of yeast in your mouth. It contains antifungal, antibiotic, and antimicrobial properties that can be useful for dealing with a white-coated tongue.
Dilute a small amount of colloidal silver by combining equal parts colloidal silver and water. Swish the mixture around in your mouth, for at least five minutes. Spit the mixture out and rinse your mouth with warm water. Use this treatment several times per day, for just a few days.
Start Treating Your White-Coated Tongue
When you notice that your tongue is coated in white, the first thing that you should do is drink water or fruit juice. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. If the condition does not start to get better within a day or two, then start trying some of the remedies described above. This is not a permanent condition and if you use a simple home remedy, you should be able to treat the problem fairly quickly.