Although it looks mild, white tongue complaints should not be taken lightly. This condition can be caused by various things and can even be a sign or symptom of a serious illness.
The tongue is generally pink in color and covered by small nodules or nodules called papillae. For some conditions, the papillae can become swollen and cause the surface of the tongue to turn white. This generally occurs due to lack of fluids or dry mouth.
In addition, the condition of a white tongue can also be a sign and symptom of certain diseases, so an examination step needs to be carried out to determine the exact cause.
Various Causes of White Tongue
White tongue is usually harmless and only temporary. However, you need to know that a white tongue can also be an indication of some serious conditions.
The following are some tongue diseases that can make the tongue turn white:
1. Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is characterized by the formation of white patches in the mouth, including the tongue area. These white patches can occur because there are too many cells and the protein keratin in the mouth. Although it is painless, the white patches that appear can't be removed using a tongue cleaner.
Leukoplakia can occur when the tongue becomes irritated. This condition is more often experienced by active smokers or those who frequently consume alcoholic beverages.
Although it is not a worrying condition, it does not mean that leukoplakia can be left alone. If left for a long time, leukoplakia can develop into cancer.
Therefore, you are advised to immediately consult a doctor if the white patches on the tongue do not disappear after two weeks.
2. Oral thrush
Oral thrush Or also known as oral candidiasis, is caused by the buildup or growth of fungi Candida albicans too fast in the mouth. This condition can cause a burning or stinging sensation on the tongue and painful white plaques.
There are several groups of people who are at high risk of experiencing oral thrush, including:
- Infants and seniors
- Diabetics
- People who take antibiotics long term
- People who are deficient in iron or vitamin B
- People with weak immune systems
- Denture wearer
3. Oral lichen planus
Oral lichen planus is a long-term immune system disorder characterized by the appearance of white lines and patches inside the mouth and the surface of the tongue.
This condition has various symptoms, such as a burning sensation in the mouth area, stinging and pain at the spot where the spot appears, and the gums look red and sore. ReasonOral lichen planus often not known for sure, but usually gets better on its own.
Several preventive steps can be taken to reduce the risk of this condition, namely by maintaining dental and oral hygiene, limiting the intake of foods that can cause irritation to the mouth, and stopping smoking habits.
4. Geographic tongue
Geographic tongue is a condition in which the papillae on the surface of the tongue disappear and look like reddish “islands” with white edges. The exact cause of this condition is not known, but it is more common in young adults.
It is possible that this condition could be due to genetic factors or certain conditions, such as psoriasis and psoriasis lichen planus . However, further research is needed to determine the exact cause geographic tongue.
Geographic tongue does not cause health problems and is not associated with infection or cancer. However, this condition can sometimes make the tongue feel uncomfortable and sensitive to certain substances.
White tongue is generally harmless. However, you are still advised to consult a doctor if you experience these complaints, especially if there are worrying changes or disturbances in the tongue, the tongue feels sore and numb, or a white tongue lasts for more than a few weeks.