what is the white coating on my tongue? how do i get rid off it, tongue scrapers are not effective,?

Question

is there any safe medications for this?

Answer 1

Without a picture this isn't the easiest answer, but the possibilities are:
1) Long filiform papillae - velvety white, but can grow long. Tongue scrapers or simply brush your tongue will help to shorten their length
2) Candida (thrush) - a yeast infection, common if you are run down or been taking antibiotics. Treatment requires a minimum of 2 weeks of an antifungal medicine or natural yoghurt every day to re-balance the bacteria levels
3) Leukoplakia - a white patch that can't be rubbed off. In a very very small number of cases this could lead to cancer
4) Lichen planus - a white lacey patches, that can be sore particularly with spices or tomatos
Due to points 2 and 3, if would be advisable to have this checked by your dentist.

Answer 2

No worry - what you describe sounds like your tongue isn't doing a very good job of shedding dead surface cells. You didn't mention if your have a dry mouth, a medical condition, or are taking medication. These could make it worse. Try to drink more water, chew sugar free gum, and use your toothbrush or tongue scraper to help keep it from building up. Added after your additional info: I doubt it is Candida (also known as yeast or thrush) since nothing came up in the biopsy and you have tried the oral meds for fungus. This is what may be happening: You are overdoing it on the brushing, scraping and treating of your tongue. The white tongue may be a response to all of this - just like a scab or callous turns white after being in water; the same thing may be going on here. I say this because the more you do, the worse it gets. Try leaving it alone (I know, it will make you crazy) for 10 days and see if it subsides. You might ask your oral surgeon or the pathologist that did your biopsy if you had a heavy build up of surface cells too.

Answer 3

It is NOT thrush because you said you can not wipe it away, and thrush can be wiped away leaving red spots that may bleed slightly. Also thrush usually has a burning sensation with it.
Oral Lichen Planus is characterized by
1)Small, pale raised areas or bumps that form a lacy network on the tongue or inside the cheeks
2)Shiny, red, slightly raised patches on the tongue or cheeks
3)Red, open sores in the mouth
4)Pain, tenderness, burning or itching in the mouth
5)Dry mouth
6)A metallic taste or a blunted taste sensation

Most likely it is Leukoplakia . Leukoplakia is defined as a white patch or plaque on a mucous membrane that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease. The diagnosis of leukoplakia is one of exclusion; other conditions such as candidiasis, lichen planus, leukoedema, etc. must be ruled out before a diagnosis of leukoplakia can be made. Leukoplakia may be a premalignant condition.
Some of the symptoms of Leukoplakia include:
1)Commonly asymptomatic
2)Persistent white patches in the mouth that can't be wiped away
You may want to have this looked at and possibly biopsied to know for certain. But since you didn't mention any pain associated with it, you might not want to do this. But speaking to an Oral Pathologist or an Oral Surgeon would be what I would do.

Answer 4

It sounds like thrush, a form of fungal infection. If you're looking for a natural treatment I've heard that unflavored yogurt with active cultures is good. It has to be unflavored since thrush thrives on sugar.

If you want a remedy that will work well and quickly see your doctor. There are prescription medications that will cure the infection in a few days.

Answer 5

I agree with the previous poster who said this could be thrush. If you have been on antibiotics recently, or if you have certainly health problems (diabetes, HIV, cancer etc.) thrush (oral candadiasis) is pretty common and relatively easily treated. See you doctor or dentist to find our for sure.

Answer 6

Could be thrush, you know, a yeast infection on your tongue? Better see a Dr. and avoid those nasty *******.

Answer 7

its bassicly were u either dont brush ur teath or brush of to herd if u brush um to hard sometimes ur taste buds wills come up just abit and food will build up behind them overtime it will turn wriet or if u dont brush then its just plack that had fallen off of ur teath try rinsing ur mouth out and then brush ur tounge olney for ward it might come out

Answer 8

i brush my tongue when i brush my teeth..sounds weird but i've been doing it my whole life and it helps witht eh white stuff...i think its plaque or something

Answer 9

That happens when you dont drink enough water so just drink up( it happens to me)

Answer 10

what where you eating?? see a doctor