[YEA]  03/02/2008: John from Richmond, VA: "Pineapple helped to get rid of my white tongue. I'm not sure why, I think it has an enzyme or chemical in it that causes the tongue coating to dissolve. Eat at least a couple of bites once or twice a day. This helps, but is not enough alone. The proper oral routine is necessary too. I found that brushing twice a day with a sls-free toothpaste allowed my tongue to shed normally and remain pink and healthy, which wouldn't happen with regular toothpaste. And don't use mouthwash or brush or scrape your tongue. Oil pulling once a day will help as well."

11/11/2008: Jen from Nashville, TN replies: "Hi, I was just reading your remedies for a white coating on the tongue and I don't know what you mean by "oil pulling". Could someone please explain this process?? Thanks for your help!"

EC: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/oil_pulling.html

[WORKED TEMPORARILY]  02/23/2009: Juan de la Cruz from Manila, Philippines replies: "Yes, eating pineapple worked for me, but it has to be raw (sour). In that case, I would put a little salt in it to taste. But this is just a temporary solution because the white coating usually returns the next day or two.

I always use a tongue cleaner, then brush my tongue with ALOE VERA toothpaste which is sold by Forever Living (5 US dollars, approximately). Then, I discovered a cheaper ALOE VERA toothpaste with almost the same quality (1 US dollar). I also had a coworker with slight bad breath and I gave him the cheaper ALOE VERA toothpaste. I noticed that every time he uses that, his bad breath is gone. But every time he used an ordinary toothpaste of whatever brand, his bad breath returns."

02/23/2009: Karen from Randolph, New Jersey replies: "I also had this problem, white tongue, which I presume is thrush (yeast infection). I got rid of it by brushing and flossing twice a day with baking soda, followed by hydrogen peroxide rinse.

I also stopped eating sugar completely, and drank a glass of buttermilk every day. This took about two weeks to a month to work,(don't quite remember, it was years ago); you have to be persistent. If I even took one bit of something sugary or sweet, it would come right back.

Pau d'arco tea works well if you drink it once a day. [You have to boil the tea, not just steep it in hot water. ]

good luck"

04/10/2009: Lisa from Grand Rapids, Michigan: "White tongue coating. READ THIS............

Getting to the source of the problem. There may be many reasons that we have a white tongue, but there could be something that many of us have in common that we are eating, chemical exposure, dehydration, medication, etc.

Please note: Be careful with cleaning your tongue as some people develop constant tongue burning that does not go away.

Let's answer these questions so that we may see if we are doing something in common that is contributing to a white tonuge coating. Please feel free to add questions that you feel may have contributed to your white tongue coating. Try to think of something new that you did, something you ate, something you may have been exposed to, new medications, that you changed before you started getting a white tongue coating.

Please do not use any brand names as we are not allowed to use them on this site.

I included my answers.

1. Do you drink at least 8 glasses of filtered or bottled water each day? (8 ounces of water for a total of 64 ounces of water each day.) No
2. If not how many ounces do you drink? 30-50 ounces a day.
3. Do you have any digestive problems? (Stomach hurts, stomach uncomfortable at times, stomach enlarged, constipation, or diarrhea, etc.) Yes, stomach uncomfortable at times.
4. Are you taking any medications? Yes
5. If yes, what is it for? (Females include birth control pills.) Birth control pills.
6. Have you taken any antiyeast medications? Yes.
7. Do you drink alcohol? No.
8. Do you smoke? No.
9. Do you have any animals? If so what are they? Yes, 1 cat.
10. Have you been scratched or bitten by an animal? Scratched by cat.
11. Do you use or are you exposed to chemical cleaners? Such as bleach, counter cleaners, etc. Yes, bleach, toilet cleaner, and table cleaner.
12. Do you use air freshener in your home? Are you exposed to air freshener at work or at friend or relative's home? Yes, automatic air freshener in my home.
13. Do you wash your toothbrush? I do now. I wash it in dish soap and rinse well.
14. Do you soak your toothbrush in salt? Yes, I do now. (Occasionally)
15. Do you brush your teeth daily? Yes, sometimes 2x a day.
16. Do you floss daily? Yes.
17. What new foods did you start eating that you didn't eat before? Yogurt, salmon.
18. Anything else that you can think of? Not at this time."

09/26/2010: Mr.whitey from North Canton, Ohio replies: "I had just read about medacation contributing to the "white coating" and was wondering if a. D. D. Medication, or reactive airways medication is contributing to my white tounge btw ive never smoked chewed or drank my stomach also hurts often I own 1 cat also I brush twice a day... So wut am I doing to cause the white coating? one more thing if I may add a question... Have you ever used chewing tobacco? no but it can lead to many tounge problems"

[YEA]  02/28/2010: Rudi from Hong Kong: "I have always had a thick white coating on my tongue. While drinking a few glasses of red wine (i think very cheap and bad quality as the taste was very sour and it came from China) i felt some tinkling on my tongue and a bit burning. The tinkling was as if small blisters burst open. The next day the white coating was dark purple from the wine, and after brushing the colour was still here. One or two days later i looked at my tongue and it was pink! Never seen this in my life before, and not justa little pink. But fresh, smooth, clean, the best and nicest tongue i have ever seen. Like photoshopped!

Now after 9 weeks it is coming back a little but, not too much. I wish i could find that wine again!

Anybody here has an idea about what in this red wine might have caused this amazing result?"

10/12/2011: Kevdood1983 from Providence, Ri: "Hello, If anyone can help me get rid of this hairy tongue condition I have developed it would make a world of difference. I have tried everything, and nothing has helped for the last 6 months.

It all started 6 months ago when I was on an antibiotic (metronidazole) for 1 week. The antibiotic did its job, but caused this "hairy tongue" side effect that seems permanent. My tongue looks like it has a white coating of thousands of elongate papillae. These papillae act like a sponge to trap all bacteria and food particles. It is a huge pain to clean my tongue after every meal with a tongue scraper. It causes me bad breath, and is just plain un-sightly. I am also in pain because I have to scrub 3 times a day to keep my tongue clean and it has become permanently sore from all the scraping.

My DR started by giving me Nystatin mouth solution because he incorrectly diagnosed it as "thrush. " And has since said its not thrush its "hairy tongue" a condition for which he had no cure. He referred me to a dentist.

The dentist did not have any treatment for me either. He just said "use a tongue scraper to slough-off the elongated papilae. " (which I am already doing for 6 months.... to no avail.)

SO here I am. Stuck with a hairy tongue and no cure. I have tried;

-Tongue scraper daily

-Diluted 1/5 hydrogen peroxide/water mouthwash

-Various antimicrobial/antibacterial mouthwashes

-Taking oral-probiotic dissolving lozenges daily for 1 month.

-Eating probitic yogurt to establish oral bacteria.

NOTHING has worked. If anyone knows a cure will literally kiss your feet with my hairy tongue. This condition has me horribly depressed, and has ruined my quality of life. I hate how my tongue looks, and I hate cleaning it.

It has gotten to point where I don't even care about things I used to enjoy.

Please help. Anyone please.

-Kevin"

10/12/2011: Lisa from Kenosha, Wi replies: "Try brushing with baking soda. It will probably only be a temporary solution though."

10/12/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Kevin, try iodine. From the linked article:

Though it kills 90 percent of bacteria on the skin within 90 seconds, its use as an antibiotic has been ignored. Iodine exhibits activity against bacteria, molds, yeasts, protozoa, and many viruses; indeed, of all antiseptic preparations suitable for direct use on humans and animals and upon tissues, only iodine is capable of killing all classes of pathogens: gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses and protozoa. Most bacteria are killed within 15 to 30 seconds of contact.

Iodine is by far the best antibiotic, antiviral and antiseptic of all time - Dr. David Derry

Dr. Derry says that iodine is effective "for standard pathogens such as Staphylococcus, but also iodine has the broadest range of action, fewest side effects and no development of bacterial resistance. " There is a world of difference between using an antibiotic anti-life substance and an antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal substance like iodine, which is life serving because it is a basic and most necessary nutritional substance.

Research iodine and its "companion nutrients" and take it every day.

http://www.naturalnews.com/022800.html"

10/13/2011: Pathabd from New Orleans, La replies: "Have you tried potassium iodine? Or Healix?"

10/13/2011: Kevdood1983 from Providence, Ri replies: "Thanks for the replies guys, No I have not tried Iodine.

What type of Iodine should I purchase?

I Googled it and can't decide between Lugols Iodine 2% oral solution, or Potassium Iodide. Is there a difference between the two? Is one better than the other? I would have to order the Lugols solution on-line. They have Potasium Iodide at my local vitamin shoppe for $5US.

Please advise on what to purchase..

Thanks!"

10/13/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Lugols is better: it is made up of Potassium Iodide, Iodine and water. You can buy 5% solution online. Iodine and iodide are different.

If you buy the 2% lugols solution it just means it has about 1/2 the strength."

10/14/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "I would also do a thorough research on iodine. If you have the problem on your tongue you probably have a wider issue in the body.

Iodine taken internally needs "companion nutrients" taken together with it for it to work properly. Also many people have a "detox" from the bromide and other toxins in the body as they are stirred up.

I implore everyone to research online as much as possible before taking the iodine. Dr. Brownstein who who has written a great book on iodine and has some great videos online. "

10/14/2011: Kevdood1983 from Providence, Ri replies: "Yes I purchased a multi-vitamin which contains; Vitamin C, Magnesium, Selenium, Niacin, and B2. (among other things)

I intend to take 2-3 drop of Lugols 2% solution mixed in a cup of water every morning with the mult-vitamin. (right after breakfast to avoid upset stomach.)"

10/14/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Kevdood, I don't think you will get enough of the companion nutrients in your multivitamin.

I found a vitamin protocol which has been used with Breast cancer patients but it relates to any iodine use. The Drs who devised it have used the protocol on over 4,000 patients with success.

It sets out how much of each companion nutrient you will need and how to take it.

Some people on iodine may get some side effects as the Bromide and other toxins are starting to move around. The link also sets out to to alleviate the detox symptoms. I am finding I am getting a headache from the Bromide detox so I am having to use the salt therapy. I also am getting a metalic taste in the mouth.

I would think that your symptoms would go further than just your tongue. It may be a body wide issue.

Curezone.com has an excellent forum on iodine supplementation as well. Definitely worth reading and asking more questions there.

http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/iprotocol.html"

05/07/2012: Marcat from Gloucester, Va replies: "Kevdood, I was also on Metronidazole and shortly after I had noticed that I had a white furry tongue. The Doctor diagnosed it as Oral Thrush. I went back to the Doctor 3 additional times.. The medicine they kept prescribing did not work. Finally the Doctor told me to go to the Dentist, that they didn't have the means necessary to help me anymore. I went to the Dentist and he didn't have any treatment options. I was told that it could be a yeast infection, geographic tongue, from any auto-immune viruses, or any vitamin deficiencies. I really have lost interest in so much due to this issue. I feel slightly relieved that I am not alone. Have you found any relief?"

10/14/2011: Darlene from Otto, Nc, Usa replies: "Varun, Try liquid glycerin... I make my own tooth powder (baking soda, sea salt, borax, a few drops of peppermint oil) spray my toothbrush with H202 and dip in the tooth powder mix and brush my teeth; afterwards, I take a mouthful of glycerin and slosh in mouth, use my tongue to coat the teeth, then swallow the remaining glyerin. My mouth feels really fresh, and my tongue turns a beautiful pink.

If I want to freshen my breath throughout the day, I just take a little sip of the glycerin, and instant refreshment, with a nice pink tongue."

10/15/2011: Darlene from Otto, Nc, Usa replies: "I have been doing more research, and have read that glycern... Although good for getting rid of fungus, white tongue and bad breath... may not be so good for the teeth; supposedly it can coat the teeth and interfere with the re-mineralization of calcium that is in the saliva.

Thus, it is probably not good to rub glycerin on the teeth, but just sip enough to coat the tongue."

EC: You might find some helpful remedies here: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/mouth_acid.html
or here: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/mouth_acid_questions.html

04/22/2009: Terry from Nairobi, Kenya replies: "I have read about cleaning the white coating of the tongue am impressed that there are many people out there trying to find solution when the medical fratanity gave up long ago. I have used glycerin plus aloe vera which have helped with my breath alot. I will try the salt and see if it works keep up your suggestions its really helping and if someone comes with a permanent solution that will be great."

05/02/2011: Nancer from Kansas City, Mo replies: "For about 10 days now I have been rinsing my mouth with peroxide after I brush my teeth to get the build up off my teeth. I swish it around for like 5 minutes, then spit it out. I am very careful not to swallow any, and I always rinse out my mouth afterwards. But now I have a terrible taste in my mouth and a white coating on my tongue, which I did not have until I started this. Is the peroxide causing this?"

05/04/2011: Kathleen from Columbus, Ohio replies: "My dentist recommended rinsing with hydrogen peroxide but ONLY if it's diluted by approximately 50/50 with water. She said that it's too harsh when used straight for a rinse. I tried this and it's much better."

[YEA]  07/27/2011: Fastinghelps from Los Angeles, Ca, Us replies: "I think cleansing from the inside is a must. I do fast 2X a year and it helps with the coated tongue bc it cleanses your insides, your liver, gets rid of toxins, candida, etc. I use a tongue scraper every morning when I fast and also do neti pot if needed. Drink lots of water, especially with lemon juice in it. No sugar! No white carbs. Oatmeal creates mucus so does buckwheat so limit, no dairy! Apple cider vinegar helps dissolve mucus so add a tbs in a glass or water or juice and sip.. Grapefuit helps with mucus and candida too. I believe that if you do all that and give it time, your tongue will be pink, and not just temporarily."

Salt

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Salt for a White Tongue

Home Remedy Ingredients

• Salt  (Sea Salt or Kosher Salt)
• Water

Take sea salt or kosher salt and use salt water as a mouthwash. For tough cases, you can follow this treatment up by placing salt directly on your tongue and holding it there for a few minutes before spitting it out. Or put salt on your toothbrush and brush your tongue with it.

01/14/2010: Arp from Burlington, Vermont replies: "Table salt is dangerous and should be considered poisonous. Try using kosher salt or sea salt ;)"

02/28/2010: Sirsmellybreath from Mentor, Ohio, Usa replies: "I have had a white coating...shag rug to be more accurate, for most of my life (I'm mid 40's). I just thought it was normal. I tried this salt cure...and dang...my tongue looks SO much better. I didn't really measure..just made a paste for my toothbrush..kept in on for 4 minutes then brushed a few more times. I'm so embarrassed that I have been blasting people with my nasty breath for so many years when such an easy cure was available. I'm going to try Lactobacillus supplements to prevent reoccurence."

[NAY]  03/02/2010: Sirsmellybreath from Mentor, Oh replies: "I'm changing my vote to nea. Yes, it does work...temporarily. My coating started returning in 2 days despite cleaning the tongue twice a day. Leaving baking soda on the tongue for a few minutes then brushing also removes the coating and without the dangers of salt. Salt can burn and even permenantly damage the tongue. I'm sure you can safely use baking soda several times a week without a problem"

03/04/2010: Ravanshe from Chicago, Il, United States replies: "Hey - have a couple questions I was hoping somebody could answer. What is the exact "recipe" for the salt method and is there anybody who could provide some feedback on its effectiveness in the long term? Is this a once daily type thing, is there any method that people have had good results with that lasts? Also, where does one get glycerin and how is it supposed to be used?

Thanks so much!"

04/04/2011: Marvin from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada replies: "Strangely, I have a white coating on the walls of my mouth, especially where the teeth join. I also have a white tongue and sometimes even the roof of my mouth turns white. I also have little red dots on my tongue and sometimes my tongue looks almost hairy. I recently found out that if I go through a whole pack of Lofthouse's Fisherman's Friend Lozenges, by the end of the day the white coating is gone and all that is left is the little red dots. I just bough two more packs and am going to go through them both over the next two days to see if I can get rid of this for good. I'm also going to rinse with salt water in the hopes of getting rid of bacteria."

10/06/2009: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca, USA replies: "Why don't you give hydrogen peroxide a try. Go on that page and read the feedback about swishing it in your mouth. You can use 3% full strength. When I do it, I do it while I'm showering and hold it in my mouth for probably about a minute. It whitens the teeth, cleans the breath, kills bacteria and your tongue becomes nice and pink. Check it out. Lisa"

01/29/2010: Help Me from Quezon City, Manila, Philippines replies: "helo YEA.. i really like your posts.. (though i dont try one yet) .. it sounds effective.. may i ask you how to effectively remove white coating on tongue? i look closely in the mirror while brushing and i notice that the white coating in my tongue has ahhh,, well i cant spell it in english.. but pieces of white particles.. it looks awful.. and minutes after i brush.. breathe goes bad again.. for the last 2 weeks ive been brushing my tongue roughly.. it even bleeds 3 times but i ignored it just to remove this awful coating.. but its very tight and i think i cant remove it with just the way i am trying. so i think i need suggestions of the experienced.. And also dieting and not eating sugarly foods makes your tongue pink? is it true? please HELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP MEEEEEEE !!! :("

[YEA]  05/21/2009: Kevin from Temecula, Ca replies: "Work amazingly!! regular table salt will do! put it on my tongue for about 40 seconds, then brushed with salt on my toothbruush three times and boom, most of the white coat was gone!! great remedy!! im excited!"

02/22/2010: Elsaeasterly from Elsewhere, Ca, Usa replies: "I have searched for the brush you describe and cannot find it. Could you please post the brand name here or, if not allowed, email me at elsaeasterly (@) yahoo.com without the spaces, of course?"

03/15/2012: Watery from New York, New York, Usa replies: "To create such a toothbrush yourself, just take a lighter and set it to the smallest flame. Light it and hold the part near the brushes about 5cm from it. It will slowly heat up, making it bendable. Gently bend it in the right curve and hold the toothbrush under water to make it solid again. I did this with my toothbrush, and finally got rid of the bacteria at the back of my tongue: brushing with baking soda and glycerine, cleaning areas previously impossible."

03/15/2009: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hi Jan, Never heard of anyone having tonsil stones before, but the same old EV olive oil & lemon juice that works on kidney stones, should also dissolve stones located in the gallbladder, parotid glands or elsewhere."

04/23/2009: Cara from Philly, PA replies: "Hi Jan, Whatever you do, PLEASE DO NOT resort to having your tonsils or uvula removed to get rid of your tonsil stones. I did just that in January 08 and here it is a year and a half later and I'm still suffering for it. Because of the operation, I developed LPR (acid reflux of the mouth instead of the chest). My mouth is dry 24 hours a day, I have a permanently coated white tongue, nothing but air in my mouth (no taste inside), and can no longer eat any of my favorite foods because my throat will immediately close up and my mouth will be dry for months. I drink only water all day long and that helps for maybe 2 seconds and then I'm bone-dry again. I'm on this website because the coating on my tongue has gotten worse.

It is the biggest regret of my life, because you can't run away from the feeling inside your mouth. It's awful, so please do not consider it. Live with the tonsil balls and cough them out as much as possible and keep up really great oral hygiene. Trust me, as much as I hated those tonsil balls, I'd sell my soul to have them back now.

Good luck! Email back if you have questions."

10/14/2010: Jessica from Tacoma, Wa replies: "I suffered from tonsil stones for years and then decided to get the tonsils out. I feel that it was the best decision I have ever made. I do suffer from white tounge coating from time to time, but I think it has more to do with yeast overgrowth than anything else. I say it depends on the person. I am thankful to be rid of those nasty and annoying tonsil stones."

07/06/2011: Bean from Orlando, Fl replies: "Are you lactose intolerant. I used to get tonsil stones and realized it had to do with drinking milk."

[WORKED TEMPORARILY]  03/12/2009: Maria from Veracruz, Mexico replies: "It worked for a while, but it doesn't stop the coating for good and all the dryness of the mouth. Do you know how can we stop that?"

11/12/2009: Sri from Ny, Ny replies: "As far as I can tell, if it is returning repeatedly, you need to balance the pH of your body with one of the remedies posted elsewhere on the website, namely, Ted's formulas taking probiotics or using some over the counter supplement to balance the pH."