How to Get Rid of White Tongue

First of all, the most recommendable thing to do is to determine the cause that has triggered this condition. Therefore, white tongue can be due to poor hygiene - which is the most common cause - , though it can also be due to more severe reasons such as canker sores or tongue cancer. Though the lack of hygiene or oral thrush can be corrected, tongue cancer must be treated by an oncologist, so you should visit a doctor so he or she can check your mouth to give you an appropriate diagnosis.

Tobacco can also be a determining factor for tongue whiteness as well as a sign of stomach or digestive lesion. The most adequate thing to do is to visit a doctor to check what the underlying problem is.

In the cases where the cause if white tongue is a lack of oral hygiene or accumulation of bacteria, it's appropriate to use a tongue scraper twice a day before brushing. Start at the back or base of the tongue and move towards the front. Repeat this process up to 4 times to clean your tongue as best you can.

It's also highly important to brush your teeth as you would normally. After brushing your teeth, try brushing your tongue too. However, it's not necessary to apply excessive pressure so just do so softly.

There are lots of commercial toothbrushes that have a back surface that's specially designed to brush your tongue, though you can do so with a regular brush too.

The accumulation of bacteria is another usual cause, so to get rid of white tongue you can rinse your mouth with alcohol based mouthwash. Alcohol will help kill bacteria that accumulate in the folds of the tongue. This accumulation of bacteria is the usual cause of white tongue.

Stop Smoking. Smoking leads to inflammation of the taste buds and also causes dry mouth. This combination allows the proliferation of bacteria that otherwise are not given the opportunity to grow in a non-smoking person.

Eat healthy foods like unsweetened yogurt and vegetables at least once a day. Yogurt (preferably unsweetened) helps restore the balance of bacteria and fungi in the mouth which reduces the amount of whiteness present on the tongue. Eating raw vegetables exfoliates the accumulation of food, bacteria and dirt on the tongue.

Once you have learnt how to get rid of white tongue, it's important you know some methods to prevent this condition from happening again. We recommend the following tips_

• Brush your teeth after every meal without forgetting to clean your tongue.
• Use antibacterial mouthwash to protect your mouth from possible infections.
• Go to your dentist regularly so he or she can control your mouth's health as well as getting regular cleanings that will make your mouth even healthier.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Get Rid of White Tongue, we recommend you visit our Family health category.

• Consult a doctor if white tongue does not disappear after repeated efforts. You may have a more serious condition.
• Sores on the tongue, tongue spots, a hairy tongue, and other colors on the tongue can be from a different condition, which may also require medical consultation.