WORLD- Changes in the surface, color, and thickness of your tongue’s coating reflect internal processes in the body, according to Health.mail.ru. These can range from digestive problems to issues with your immune system. That’s why doctors often ask patients: “Show me your tongue.”
A thin coating naturally appears on everyone’s tongue. It’s a mix of shed cells, bacteria, saliva, and food debris.
Usually, this coating is light and can be easily removed when cleaning your mouth. It is not accompanied by pain, burning, or a strong bad odor.
Also, a change in color does not always indicate disease. It can happen due to food, drinks, smoking, or medication.
However, there are other signs that may raise concern. For example, a thick, persistent coating that is difficult to remove, lasts for a long time, and is accompanied by other symptoms.
Examples of changes that may require attention:
Thick white coating:
This is often linked to the overgrowth of the fungus Candida, which is naturally present in the mouth.
When immunity is weak, after taking antibiotics, or due to chronic illnesses, its growth may increase excessively.
It is usually accompanied by burning, itching, tingling, or dry mouth. A yellowish-white coating may appear due to insufficient water intake.
Yellow coating:
This may be associated with liver or bile duct problems.
Persistent thick yellow or yellow-green coating should raise concern, especially if accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, or a feeling of heaviness after eating.
In such cases, simply cleaning the tongue is not enough. The medical cause needs to be identified.
Black or dark brown coating (Black Hairy Tongue):
This occurs when the tongue’s papillae become enlarged and elongated, making the surface appear dark and uneven.
It often happens after prolonged use of antibiotics, smoking, or poor oral hygiene.
It may be accompanied by bad breath or nausea. It can also be related to imbalances in gut bacteria, weak immunity, or digestive issues.
Green coating:
This usually indicates a bacterial or fungal infection.
It often appears after antibiotic treatment or in cases of weakened immunity. It may be accompanied by a strong bad odor and discomfort in the mouth.
Gray coating:
This can appear with infectious diseases, digestive problems, prolonged fasting, or dehydration.
This color indicates systemic disturbances and requires evaluation of overall health rather than just local treatment.
Doctors emphasize that if the coating on your tongue becomes thick, changes color, is difficult to remove, or is accompanied by a burning sensation, pain, bad odor, dry mouth, or a general feeling of unwellness, you should visit a doctor.
Identifying the cause early can help prevent more serious problems.
