White tongue: causes and treatment of sabral tongue?

White tongue syndrome is also known as suburral tongue, suburral being the mucous material that covers the tongue. This phenomenon can affect anyone, at any age – children are not spared – although it tends to intensify with age. Men are three times more affected than women.

On average, one in two people is affected at least once in their lifetime.

Nutrident.fr explains the development of the white tongue syndrome and advises you to get rid of this unpleasant and disabling pathology, because of the bad breath it can cause.

Where does white tongue syndrome come from and how can it be treated?

The tongue is a very muscular organ that we unconsciously use all the time. Covered by taste buds, it allows us to judge the quality of what we put in our mouths and to determine whether or not there is a danger of toxicity (in addition to making us appreciate the flavors) and it is essential for us to speak.

The proliferation of bacteria

The mouth is full of bacteria and the white tongue is an abnormal accumulation of these bacteria. In addition to the unusual appearance, this concentration leads tohalitosis, or bad breath.

Bacterial growth on the tongue is caused by thedrying out of the mouth, as saliva is used to remove bacteria. Therefore, during the night, as the production of saliva is reduced, the phenomenon of white tongue is accentuated in the morning upon awakening.

Certain behaviors promote the syndrome. Any dirty foreign object – pen, hands, nail clippings or anything else you might put in your mouth – feeds the bacteria. Tobacco, alcohol, certain medications and foods change the amount of saliva, which is good for bacteria.

Note that if you experience this phenomenon exceptionally one morning, it is probably because you ate and drank a little too much the day before, so nothing serious. A good tooth brushing and especially a good tongue brushing and it will not appear anymore!

Imbalance of the intestinal flora

If you have an imbalance in your intestinal flora, bacteria overgrow not only in your mouth but also in your digestive tract. A fungus will then colonize your tongue. This fungus – called candidiasis – can be treated with an antibiotic that rebalances the digestive flora.

Chronic constipation is an aggravating factor, because stool that stagnates in the colon instead of being evacuated unbalances the intestinal flora.

Digestive disorders

If you suffer from digestive problems and are used to gastric reflux, you are likely to develop a white tongue phenomenon, because your esophagus brings up acidity which delights the bacteria in your mouth and which will find matter to settle on your tongue.

In this case, the solution must be found in your diet.

Allergies and irritations

All allergies, irritations and aggressions favor the phenomenon of white tongue. Mouth ulcers, for example, are among the causes of white tongue.

These small ulcers are the result of an allergy or injury. In this case, you must disinfect your mouth thoroughly until the lesions disappear. Brushing the teeth and tongue and rinsing the mouth accelerate the healing process.

Respiratory and winter diseases

All diseases that on the one hand infect the respiratory system, of which the mouth is a part, and on the other hand block the nose and force the patient to breathe through the mouth, can cause the white tongue syndrome.

Bacteria and viruses are more present and breathing through the mouth makes the mouth dry. In the absence of saliva, the bacteria are no longer evacuated.

White tongue in young and old

At the extremes of the age pyramid, children and the elderly may also suffer from white tongue syndrome for other reasons. In children, it may be a physiological lack of saliva. This phenomenon is called xerostomia and in this case you should consult a doctor who will determine the origin of this dysfunction.

Children can also suffer from thrush, which is an infection caused by a fungus called candida albicans. This phenomenon is also found in older people. With aging, the body fights less well against aggressions, it is said to be immunocompromised.

In this case, you should consult a general practitioner who may refer you to a specialist, depending on his or her diagnosis.

First reflexes in case of white tongue

If this happens, don't rush to the doctor or dentist. Change your behavior based on the above and clean your mouth and tongue well.

Remember to stay well hydrated with water, which remains the best drink. You can drink it, but also regularly rinse your mouth and spit it out to help flush out excess bacteria.

Ask your pharmacy for advice on trying a specific toothpaste that is more effective than your own, and also test sprays. Their action is immediate by giving you back your good breath, but also to solve your problem in the long term, by attacking the bacteria, thanks to the active principles they contain: chlorhexidine and zinc.

However, if your tongue does not return to its healthy pink appearance after a few days, it is prudent to visit your general practitioner. Just as if this syndrome becomes painful. The doctor will look for the cause and may test the white deposit to determine the source of the infection.

Why does a white tongue cause bad breath?

Anaerobic bacteria are the ones responsible for halitosis. Anaerobic means that these microorganisms do not need oxygen to reproduce and live.

These bacteria produce VSCs – Volatile Sulfur Compounds – which smell bad.

To get rid of these bacteria once they have colonized the tongue, you can brush your tongue with your toothbrush or with a specific scraper. You can also find toothbrushes with a scraper part on the head, opposite to the part with the bristles.