Treat a White Tongue
A white tongue can be a sign of a few illnesses, including leukoplakia, oral thrush and oral lichen planus. Leukoplakia is a reaction to irritation of the mucous membranes. Oral thrush is yeast that grows on the tongue and in the mouth. And oral lichen planus is an inflammation of the mouth and tongue. Although you can't be sure whether you have any of these conditions until you see a doctor, there are some things you can do at home to treat these conditions before your doctor's appointment.
Instructions
1. Eat unsweetened yogurt. If you are suffering from oral thrush, the active cultures in unsweetened yogurt will normalize the bacteria in your mouth to help you fight the infection. Eat a cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt at least once a day.
2. Remove any irritants from your mouth. If you have fillings that are rubbing against your tongue or cheek, or braces that are cutting into your mouth, use dental wax to seal off the irritation. In most cases, once your mouth heals, it will stop the symptoms of leukoplakia.
3. Determine any other symptoms you are experiencing. If you have mouth sores or irritations in addition to a white tongue, you likely have oral lichen planus or leukoplakia. If you have white, patchy areas resembling cottage cheese in other areas in the mouth, you likely have oral thrush. If you have an itchy mouth, you likely have oral lichen planus.
4. See a doctor to determine your diagnosis. Your doctor may swab your mouth if she is unsure of your condition, and will send a scraping or swab to the laboratory to test for your ailment. Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe medication.
5. Take your medication until it is finished, even if your symptoms clear up. Oral thrush can be treated with an antifungal rinse or oral medication. Although there is no cure for oral lichen planus, a doctor can prescribe oral corticosteroids to prevent long-term itching.
6. Have a tooth extracted or a filling replaced, if your doctor deems it needed. If you are suffering from leukoplakia, it is likely due to such an irritant cutting into your mouth. Once the irritation has healed, your leukoplakia should clear up within three weeks.
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