There are many possible causes for white tongue, and in some cases, it comes with an unpleasant odor and mouth dryness. To get rid of it, sometimes you just need to brush your teeth. But what should you do if that doesn’t help?
❗ This article is for informative purposes only and can’t replace the advice of a specialist.
What white tongue is
The white film may cover the entire tongue, part of it, or appear as spots. At the same time, an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth may appear. It looks as if there are small white hairs on the tongue’s surface. In fact, they are buds covered with organic particles, bacteria, and dead cells.
White plaque on the tongue (which can also be yellow) may appear for different reasons, like due to irritation or because of an infection. It usually disappears after several days. If the situation doesn’t change for several weeks, and it’s painful to eat and talk, it’s best to see a doctor.
It’s important to note that the plaque may not only be white. While a pink tongue is normal, a brown tongue means the person drinks too much coffee or tea. A yellow tongue means there’s something wrong with the liver, and a red tongue is a sign that the person lacks vitamin B.
Why the tongue becomes white
Usually, the tongue becomes white due to bacteria, leftover bits of food, or dead cells that get stuck in between the buds. Because of this, the buds may increase in size or become inflamed. This is how white spots on the tongue’s surface appear.
Sometimes, the plaque appears due to an illness. For example, the geographic tongue is also a condition where white spots appear on the tongue. It’s quite rare, and the causes are unknown, but the condition itself is often connected to eating foods that irritate the tongue. It may also be a reaction to stress, an illness, or hormonal changes.
Why white plaque appears on the tongue
There are some things that make the appearance of white plaque on the tongue more probable:
- Age
- Taking antibiotics (white-yellow plaque appearing when there’s a fungal infection in the mouth)
- A diet that’s lacking enough fruits, vegetables, vitamin B12, and iron
- A weak immune system
- Bad mouth hygiene
- Dental prosthetics or other objects that can damage the tongue
- Dehydration and mouth dryness
What piercings have to do with white tongue
Right after piercing the tongue, there might be some white film present. This happens because the number of bacteria on the tongue increases, and it’s normal. Antibacterial mouthwash will help you get rid of it. Plus, there might be a ring around the piercings, which is normal too, and it means the tissue is healing.
If the plaque appears due to an injury (including piercings), the healing should take around 1.5 weeks. You should avoid irritants, such as hot, spicy, or sour foods and drinks.
How to get rid of white tongue at home
- Practice good mouth hygiene.
- Drink enough water.
- Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush.
- Use a mild fluoride toothpaste — one that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Use fluoride mouthwash.
- Brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to remove the white coating.
- Drink cold drinks through a straw.
- Avoid food and drinks that are spicy, salty, acidic, or very hot in temperature.
Who to talk to if you’re worried about your white tongue
- Your dentist can help you remove the white film from the tongue and prescribe medications if needed.
- Your GP can diagnose the tongue, prescribe you certain medications and determine if the white tongue is an indicator of a more serious issue.
What do you do about white tongue?
Preview photo credit Genusfotografen (genusfotografen.se) & Wikimedia Sverige (wikimedia.se) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Martanopue / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Candace Leslie Cima, 76, is not an ordinary grandma. While she chooses to age gracefully, people often criticize her for her style.
A 76-year-old lady has come under fire for not dressing appropriately for her age.
Candace Leslie Cima showed off her perfect form in a stylish black one-piece swimsuit in response to the criticism, unfazed by it.
She continues to demonstrate that women can still look stunning and stylish at any age, unaffected by the remarks of those who despise them.
Buffalo, New York, native Candace Leslie Cima, 76, is a mother, a businesswoman, a grandmother, a model, and an artist. She gained notoriety for her blog, “Life In My 70s: Aging Is Changing,” where she offered tips on fashion and lifestyle and talked about how women should accept all the aspects of aging that come with it naturally.
Cima claims that she has always been fascinated by the idea of aging and the frequently unfavorable connotations associated with it. In her twenties and thirties, she became interested in the aging process.
She has been a businesswoman for more than 32 years and is the owner of a senior living complex. Cima came to the following conclusion about the years she spent getting to know senior citizens from all backgrounds:
“One thing is certain in my knowledge: aging is changing. Neither our mothers nor our grandmothers are us. We now have the opportunity to live fulfilling lives as stylish, intellectual, caring, and compassionate women far into old age.
In addition to her fame for showing off her stunning looks on her TikTok account, Cima is also well-known for wearing really fashionable and, dare I say, youthful clothing. Even with 94,000 TikTok followers, Cima frequently faces trolling because of the content that she chooses to share.
The gorgeous person receives a lot of flak for wearing clothes that are too big for her age. Nevertheless, the unfazed 76-year-old refuses to let her critics affect her in any way and instead responds by wearing the outfits she desires.
She was spotted wearing an elegant daytime ensemble in a previous TikTok video, which looked like something someone in their late 20s to early 30s may have also worn: an open-toed white stiletto and an edgy pale blue blouse.
A previous critical remark from a viewer stating that Cima shouldn’t be wearing what she is wearing at sixty years old is included in the video’s text. She corrects the viewer while flaunting her skills in the video, shutting down the remark and stating that, in fact, she was 75 years old at the time.
Her reappearance in a TikTok video last year, where she wore a stylish, figure-hugging black one-piece bikini while on vacation in Florida, was another mic-drop moment. Her admirers praised her appearance as they strolled around the poolside area.
Cima’s TikTok social media account was first made to inspire users to get rid of any bad associations with becoming older. She wants to give women the confidence to accept the beauty that comes with aging gracefully and naturally, regardless of their age.
Unaffected by those who have advised her not to wear particular clothes because they are inappropriate for her age, Cima keeps motivating other senior ladies. She often discusses the aspects of aging she enjoys on her blog.
Her favorite aspects of becoming older are being bold, learning to do something new, being less stressed, and having the maturity to accept things beyond her control. Cima believes that growing older might be the best stage of a person’s life:
Many women in their latter years lead active, satisfying lives. Record-breaking and barrier-breaking women are becoming more and more prevalent.
It goes without saying that Cima, who has immersed herself in every aspect of aging, acknowledges that occasionally, older women place restrictions on their own abilities. She is, however, emphatic that other senior women refuse to be moulded or influenced by the discourse that suggests women are incapable of performing certain tasks after a certain age.
Cima claims that as she has aged, she has become increasingly mindful of the ways in which stress and worry impact her. She reveals that while the sensations are inevitable, she eventually discovered via meditation and time management techniques how to balance and improve her connection with her stress and anxiety in order to counteract the harmful bodily impacts of those unpleasant emotions.
Cima is still ignoring the ageist insults that her detractors on social media are spewing at her.
Experience and perspective that come with growing older help to shape a person’s outlook on life. Says Cima:
“Attitude is everything, and your perspective on a subject can alter your feelings toward it. You can alter the result by altering your feelings about it. Growing older doesn’t mean giving up; rather, it means you’ve gained knowledge that, if you so choose, is unstoppable.
Cima’s trim body stands out on its own, even in addition to her eye-catching wardrobe choices. The 76-year-old keeps up her amazing body via regular exercise and fitness.
She demonstrated her amazing yogic abilities while practicing her daily yoga regimen in another TikTok video that she uploaded. Cima demonstrates her extraordinary flexibility by bending and contorting into a variety of forms and stances.
Cima was shown on her yoga mat in the 38-second video, clad entirely in black sportswear. She amazed onlookers, inspiring them to see an elderly woman capable of such feats, from the cat-camel stretch to a full-blown split. One observer made the following comment:
“You are truly an inspiration! As an example of graceful and healthy aging, I have started following a few older ladies on social media at the age of 44.
Cima is still ignoring the ageist insults that her detractors on social media are spewing at her. She never gives up on her mission to encourage women who might not feel at ease in their senior years and to serve as an inspiration to others who are looking for role models.
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