There are times when a white-coated tongue is brought about by an underlying medical condition. Some potential causes include lupus, oral thrush (candidiasis of the mouth), leukoplakia (disorder of the mucous membrane) and congestive hepatopathy (liver congestion). But if your doctor gave you a clean bill of health, there is nothing to worry about as it’s not a life-threatening problem.
Most of the time, the tongue gets a white coating due to issues such as dehydration, excessive mouth dryness and fever. Smoking and drinking alcohol are potential culprits too. A white-coated tongue can leave a bitter taste in the mouth and cause your breath to stink especially because that white coating usually consists of dead cells and bacteria.
The tongue should be pink in color. Otherwise, you need to spring into action to make it clean and healthy. Below are some natural ways to get rid of a white-coated tongue.
Baking Soda
One of the simplest and cheapest ways to clean the tongue is with the use of baking soda. Its texture makes baking soda an effective remover of that nasty white coating, and it also helps make the breath smell fresh due to its antibacterial properties. Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the wet bristles of your toothbrush and use it to clean the tongue. You may also add a few drops of lemon juice to boost the tongue-cleaning properties of baking soda.
Sea Salt
Due to its gentle abrasive properties, sea salt may be used to clean the tongue. The antibacterial properties of sea salt also help in making the breath fresh. Its ability to scrape off dead cells on the tongue as well as kill off bad-breath causing bacteria makes sea salt a winner. Simply sprinkle some sea salt on your wet toothbrush and use it to gently clean your tongue. You may also dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water to make an all-natural mouthwash.
Vegetable Glycerin
Especially if that white-coated tongue of yours is accompanied by mouth dryness, it’s a good idea to reach for a bottle of vegetable glycerin to have the tongue cleaned and the oral cavity moisturized. As a bonus, vegetable glycerin also helps zap bacteria, leaving your breath smelling fresh. Dunk your toothbrush in vegetable glycerin and start brushing away that white coating until the tongue returns to its natural pink color. Rinse the mouth with warm water afterwards.
Coconut Oil
If vegetable glycerin is inaccessible, opt for coconut oil instead. Coconut oil has potent antimicrobial properties that help get rid of bacteria sitting on the tongue’s surface, which cause that unflattering white coating as well as bad breath. Dip your toothbrush in coconut oil and clean away. Rinse well with water afterwards. You may choose to apply and leave coconut oil on the cleaned tongue to help deal with mild tongue inflammation and dryness of the mouth.
Hydrogen Peroxide
The strong antibacterial properties of hydrogen peroxide make it a potent antiseptic, commonly used for disinfecting cuts and wounds. You may also use hydrogen peroxide to clean the tongue as well as eliminate bad breath. To get started, mix 1 part of 3% hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts of water. Dip your toothbrush into it and start cleaning your tongue. You may also brush the mixture onto your teeth to whiten them. When done, gargle with water.
Aloe Vera
Sometimes it’s a mild form of tongue inflammation that causes the deposition of dead cells and bacteria, leading to the development of that gross white coating. Using aloe vera juice in cleaning the tongue helps heal that inflammation. Aloe vera juice is also effective against bad breath-causing bacteria. Simply place a teaspoon or two of aloe vera juice in your mouth and swish it around. Spit it out after a few minutes and enjoy a cleaner tongue and fresher breath.
Turmeric
There are plenty of spices revered for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and turmeric is one very good example. It’s for this reason why this deep yellow-colored powdered spice may be used as an effective remover of that white coating of the tongue. Add a few drops of lemon juice to 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric. Use the resulting paste as a tongue cleaner. You may also add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of water for an effective mouthwash.
All of these can help in cleaning your tongue naturally and effectively. Remember to drink lots of fluids and avoid sugary foods to keep the tongue clean and healthy.
