The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Pineapple
Posted by John (Richmond, VA) on 03/02/2008
★★★★★
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.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by DS (NYC) on 05/09/2006
★★★★★
A great remedy I just discovered by accident to take away the white coating on your tongue is powdered charcoal. I was taking this at night to cleanse my digestive system and discovered the next morning that my tongue had no coating on it! Amazing!
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Jack (NYC, New York) on 05/22/2009
How do you do with charcoal. Can you please tell more detail or procedure how to use.
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Jonathan B. (New Zealand) on 06/02/2019
Can you give more example of the types and dosage of the enzymes?
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Charlotte R. (Texas) on 05/08/2020
★★★★★
Thank you for the suggestions!
Milk of Magnesia and Salt
Posted by Daniel (Texas) on 05/19/2018
Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I think it is the stress and after I eat I get stomach gas and seems to irritate my tongue. Also, just being physical at work really dries out my mouth and make it worse. It used to come and go, but now it never goes..lol. Ive tried everything! At this moment I am trying to make my own kefir, I take adrenal active(for adrenal fatigue due to chronic stress), garlic pills and Omega 3. Just started on all this a week ago. Salt used to work a bit, but now it seems not to. It seems the papillae themselves are a bit long and white.
Probiotics, Glycerin, Coconut Oil
Posted by Lilli (Wa, Usa) on 11/02/2015 13 posts
★★★★★
After moving to a new area, I noticed that my tongue became coated. It got to the point that the surface was rough and my tongue seemed swollen. After a few more days, my tongue was becoming numb in the center. I decided to give some of these remedies a try and here's what worked best:
1. I buy refrigerated probiotics (blend of Lactobacillus rhamnosus & Lactobacillus acidophilus). Open one capsule and use a soft tooth brush to gently rub the powdered contents onto your tongue. Then just leave it on as long as you can and swallow the rest. It's a good idea to take a daily capsule as well internally.
2. I bought organic, food grade vegetable glycerin. Place a few drops on your tongue and rub it in. Allow it to stay on your tongue - it is also safe to swallow.
3. Use virgin, organic, cold expeller pressed coconut oil.. I've been using it for oil pulling for years. Just take a small teaspoon of the c.o. and let it melt on your tongue.
I used all three methods about an hour or two before bed time. It started working before I went to bed. The next morning, the numbness and swollen feeling were gone and the pink color is returning to my tongue.
OTC
Posted by Fabio (Sao Paulo, Brazil) on 02/20/2015
★★★★★
Chlorhexidine cured my white coated tongue. My doctor prescribed Chlorhexidine 10% mixed with water as a mouthwash. Many people says that white coated tongue is only candida. But I don't belive in that. I believe that it includes bacteria as well. So chlorhexidine kills all of them. It's extremely powerful and hurts the tongue. But you can already feel the difference in the day after. I tried EVERYTHING you can imagine, and belive me, glycerin will help just for 1 day, honey just for 1 day, and so. It's not solving anything. What will solve it is killing this pathogens. What helped: chlorhexidine, low carb diet, cultured vegetables (book: body ecology diet), brushing the tongue after EVERY meal, so the sugar does not stay much longer in the tongue offering food to pathogens.
Acidophilus
Posted by Gerry Ann (Minnesota, US) on 04/06/2015
Magnus,
What is the name of your toothpaste? I have been told to use the SLS free toothpaste. I have yet to find any and have looked everywhere. I am into my second bout of oral thrush within a year. Very disturbing to me.
Thanks, Take care. Gerry
Acidophilus
Posted by Barbara (Pa, US) on 04/18/2015
Gerry Ann, I use an SLS free toothpaste called Verve. I buy it online.
Barbara
Acidophilus
Posted by Claudia (Fort Lauderdale, Fl) on 07/12/2016
Can you specify the name of the probiotic, acidophilus I need to buy. My tongue is extremely white and I have a very dry mouth. My doctor tells me I have IBS. It comes and goes and I feel very run down. Looking for a solution. Claudia
Salt
Posted by Andrea C (Cardiff , Wales ) on 07/20/2013
A white tongue is a sign of being toxic. I know, believe me xxxx I was in The Lion's Den hospital. They looked at my white tongue and told me, "You're dehydrated." I was drinking 2 Gallons of WATER a day??? BLEH!!! They don't know what their on about, Man! It is a sign of being toxic. Love Andrea C
Acidophilus
Posted by Earl James (Dubai Uae) on 04/14/2014
Hi, I also have a white problem in my tongue and I really hate it. I just read that you are using Acidophilus. Can you pls. help me- what is the proper way to use this medicine? Do I need to gargle or do I need to swallow it? thanks ..
Acidophilus
Posted by Vboot (Mesquite, Texas) on 05/08/2013
Please help. I have had white tongue and bad breath for ever. I have visited severeal dentist, but no help. Some blog are talking about using acidophilus, please tell me which one to buy.
Acidophilus
Posted by K. (Wisconsin) on 07/18/2016
Should a person take more than 1 probiotic to get a variety of strains? It occurred to me that we don't know which strains we need and therefore might be wasting money or not get the help we need because we aren't taking the right probiotic. They are all different.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 12/12/2012
Hi Everyone, I just wanted to post another interesting interview with Dr. Victor Zeines who is a dentist who actually left the profession dismayed by the standard methods of dental practice. During that interim he left, became a psychotherapist and was led on a path to learn all sorts of information on alternative tooth care. Re- invigorated with this knowledge, he returned to dentistry to serve his patients with herbs, nutrition, vitamins, etc. And their teeth thrived. He also speaks on the coating of the tongue, the various colors, the thickness, the state of the tongue which is all information he learned from studying Chinese medicine. The tongue is extremely important in diagnosing one's health in Chinese medicine and can help indicate where problems may lie within your body. I do hope you take the opportunity to hear what he has to say:
http://www.wishsummit.com/toothsummit/dr-victor-zeines-f1f
Best of health and holidays to everyone! Lisa
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
Posted by Andrea (Glendale, Ca) on 03/17/2013
Thank you SO much for this! And, kudos to the Doctor!! I wish more MDs would follow suit!
Lie Bumps
Posted by Anonymosaurus Rex (Somewhere, Alone, Listening To Radiohead) on 08/30/2012
Lie bumps or pimples on the tongue are almost completely overlooked in the medical profession. They are known as either eruptive lingual papillitis or fungiform papillary glossitis. There is one study indicating that lie bumps may be contagious, but there is also some evidence that it can be caused by irritation and minor damage to the tongue. People who have eczema, asthma or other allergies are more likely to suffer from lie bumps.
I have asthma and allergies, and in my experience with lie bumps I have gotten them from scraping my tongue on my teeth (for example, if there is food stuck in my teeth) quite often. I also experienced oral thrush once in my life due to being extremely run down. I was also dating a person who was rather yeasty at the time, as well. While I had oral thrush I had many painful lie bumps on my tongue. This may seem to back up the idea that lie bumps are contagious, but that I had lie bumps for on occasions many years before this it would seem that I caught it a long time before then or that it is something else.
I have noticed that if I eat more sugar, I will get lie bumps more regularly. In my opinion, sugar, thrush, and all-too-often tongue abrasions along it seems as though lie bumps are opportunistic yeast outbreaks that take root in any small nick or scrap in the tongue, provided that your oral condition are favourable for any yeastie-beasties.
You need to avoid high levels of carbohydrates in your mouth, or at least keep it to the shortest amount of time. This means you need to:
- reduce your sugar intake
- chew your food well
- drink water, rinse or brush after eating (if you have eaten something acidic, leave the brushing for a bit to save damaging the enamel on your teeth)
- avoid sticky high sugar foods, like toffee
You also need to ensure that your mouth is alkaline enough to prevent/inhibit the growth of yeast. Avoid highly acidic foods and drinks, such as cola.
My advice to someone suffering from lie bumps is to take the above advice on lifestyle and diet, and to look into the symptoms of systemic candida overgrowth as it is likely that the lie bumps are just one symptom of a bigger problem.
If you want to get rid of a current outbreak of lie bumps, I would recommend you try:
- applying a small amount of salt directly on to the bump and leaving it as long as possible
- avoid rubbing the bump on teeth as much as possible
- gargle a drop or two of an antifungal essential oil in warm water (oregano, tea tree, lavender, mint, cinnamon, thyme, clove...
- gargle salt water or iodine in water
- gargle some cayenne pepper (if you can handle it)
- swishing live-culture yoghurt in your mouth
- brush your teeth a minimum of two times a day, and rinse after eating any food
Try applying salt, gargling 1-2 times a day, swishing yoghurt and brushing and rinsing your mouth frequently.
Glycerin
Posted by Angie (Atlanta, Ga) on 04/02/2012
★★★★★
Thanks all for the Glycerin tip. I'm a few minutes from applying glycerin to my tongue and it worked instantly! I applied a few drops on my soft bristle toothpaste and watched the whiteness go away. I will keep you posted in a day or two to update my status. My breathe smells a lot fresher now that the white coloring is gone:-)
I strongly recommend this as option 1.
Glycerin
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 09/02/2012
Hi Carly, I personally would not use glycerin in my mouth. I suppose if you want to use it for your tongue, keep it isolated to that only and then rinse. When I was doing research on natural care for the teeth and re-mineralizing tooth enamel, it was emphasized not to use glycerin which is in almost all toothpaste. What it does is coat the teeth and the saliva cannot reach them to re-mineralize and heal the teeth. Anyway, just a thought, Lisa
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anon (Toronto, Canada) on 03/18/2012
Re: White Tongue... I am currently going to an ayurvedic practioner. You might wish to check out "removing Ama" from the system. This is the white stuff on your tongue that is caused by indigestion and the toxin forms. I think the ACV will help with the clearing of this toxin and help digestion too. I took 2 tbs today and so far no itching and that is good news! good luck to everyone!
Glycerin
Posted by Alva (Nashua, Nh Usa) on 03/27/2012
★★★★★
Wow I just tried glycerin after I saw this thread & it works instantly. I will post back in another couple days see if it comes back. Thank you so much everyone!
Salt
Posted by Wayne (Corby, Northamptonshire) on 08/30/2011
★★★★☆
I have tried doing this with table salt and seen a difference but still not perfection pink colour but I'm chuffed at how well it's made a difference, but I'm sure I did something wrong like the salt on the tongue I only had on for around 1 min because I was literally about to be sick, but nonetheless I'm about to do again thanks so much!
Hydrogen Peroxide, Sea Salt
Posted by Henry Poole (Wisconsin, Minnesota) on 04/07/2011
Brushed the tongue with seasalt which removed the white coating on the back on the tongue, but a grey/white patch remained in the center of the tongue with elongated white lesions in front of the patch.
The tongue was pulled forward with a wash cloth and the patch cotton swabbed with 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide over a periode of 5 days. The pain was excruciating. Layer after layer came off the tongue. The tongue looks swollen but clean now.
Toothpaste Without Chemicals
Posted by Anthony (London, Uk) on 03/07/2010
★★★★★
Hi, have had a coated tongue for years (33 yo) and don't know why. Brush it every night gargled, use salt, have a healthy diet blah blah blah.
I've recently (2 months ago), having read of the dangers of parabens and Sodium Laurel Sulphate, stopped using all cleansing products apart from a little, food grade shower gel on armpits, groin and bum. I extended this to toothpaste 2 days ago, I now use one with aloevera and teatree oil in. My tongue has gone clean!
Also, in this time, my very mild but persistent 'bacne' has cleared up, my forehead bumps have gone down, and I'm regrowing little hairs on my, sadly, thinning pate.
I think I was allergic to the chemicals.
Red Wine
Posted by Rudi (Hong Kong) on 02/28/2010
★★★★★
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?
Salt
Posted by Ravanshe (Chicago, Il, United States) on 03/04/2010
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!
Glycerin
Posted by Chris (Phoenix, Arizona) on 06/16/2011
★★★★★
CRAZY! Tried the USP Glycerin, not vegetable. Almost GONE after the first try. Three drops on my toothbrush. Insane! Got it over the counter at the pharmacy at Target.
Glycerin
Posted by Alzaz (Mongomery Village, Md Usa) on 07/25/2011
★★★★★
WOW! Never thought it could be this simple!!!! Just read this thread went to brush my tongue ( luckily I had glycerin @ home) and it's completely gone! Also the sensation of dry mouth and thirst disappeared!!! Thanks sooooo much for the tip!
Acidophilus
Posted by Drr (Fort Washington, Pa) on 05/10/2011
★★★★★
It worked amazingly well. After trying many things including Apple Cider Vinegar, I saw a huge improvement after one time with the acidophilus. I have not been on antibiotics in years, but it still worked. Well worth a try.
Acidophilus
Posted by Samson (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 06/01/2011
Question: The original post from Fred said to swallow the acidophilus mix, however Noodles said he was "brushing with "the cure"".
Are we supposed to do the Fred or Noodles technique?
Acidophilus
Posted by Duc (La, Ca, Usa) on 12/13/2011
Can we get these capsules over the counter at a drug store?
Acidophilus
Posted by Hopel3ss` (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 02/07/2012
Acidophilus worked for one day. Glycerin worked for one hour. I am getting fed up of this someone please help!
Acidophilus
Posted by Healther (Ny) on 07/20/2012
Can you please tell me what is the cure? I have white tongue and need help in getting rid of it. Thank you.
Acidophilus
Posted by Gabesgrammie (Veneta, Or USA) on 08/12/2012
To: Maz from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Can you be more specific regarding the amounts to take for your remedy? I have the oregano and olive leaf, but I need to know how much and when (once a day, twice, etc) I am interested to know if this will help. I don't plan to take the candigest, but feel that using nature's own I night be just as successful. miraclecows1(AT)msn.com
Acidophilus
Posted by Hopefully (Memphis, Tn) on 09/15/2012
@anon from Bronx, Ny- Can you please share the exact name of the product you purchased and used? Many thanks in advance for your response.
Acidophilus
Posted by Michelle (Washington, Dc) on 11/04/2012
★★★★★
Acidophlus (probiotics) works but it has to be the right kind. I tried salt and glycerin which worked only temporarily. I'm also taking oil of oregano, so it might be helping probiotics to remove the white coating...
Acidophilus
Posted by China (Toledo) on 05/10/2013
Thanks to all the responses, I have battled this problem seven years which caused me to isolate myself from people because of the bad smell of the white coating. I am convinced that probiotic tx will work and on my way to buy it now. Will let you know how I'm doing. Maybe my confidence will come back to talk face to face again!!!
Acidophilus
Posted by Mary (Toledo) on 01/04/2017
Can anyone name a brand of acidophilus that can cure a white tongue? Thank you!
Acidophilus
Posted by Margot (Atlanta) on 03/11/2017
What was the brand that you used? Thanks!
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
Posted by Laurie (Belleville, Ont, Canada) on 03/22/2010
Hello Kevin, You stated that "Yellow means heat is inside "but didn't say how to treat this. I've only recently come up with a yellowish tongue and would like to get rid of it... any ideas?
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
Posted by Jojo (Brookyn, Ny) on 11/30/2010
With the orange peel are you suppose to chew it or drink it as hot tea?
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
Posted by Diane (Berkeley, Ca) on 11/30/2010
It is dried, and used in soups or teas.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
Posted by David (Adealide, Australia) on 03/02/2011
From my research white or yellow or dirty tongue indicates a heavy bacterial issue. Those with this issue usually have it persitently along with bad breath. I have suffered from this all my life. I have just had a deviated septum repair. I was hoping it may relieve my symptoms. But I now have the flu which make the tongue condition worse. Many old remedies dont kill the bacteria. Normal toothpaste also. My conclusion?The sinus's and or nasal cavity in these people are slightly defective. Advances in knowledge may find the problems in the future. I know people who dont practice oral hygiene at all and never have bad breath and always have a nice healthy tongue colour. Im going to try Thera Breath toothpaste and oxyd-8 to complete my research. they show good reviews but I am always sceptical.Cheers
Salt
Posted by HillaryAnne (Tulsa, Oklahoma) on 07/17/2009
★★★★★
Salt cure for white coating on the tongue... I only noticed that I had this issue last week when a friend asked if I had eaten a banana or something. I decided to google and stumbled onto this site. I brushed with some salt and saw improvement and then read more. I coated my whole tongue with it and kept it on as long as possible (about four minutes). Worked like a charm. I am really delighted. But if you rinse with peroxide it will look like it came back for a minute lol.
Salt
Posted by Michelle (Warwick, Warwickshire, UK) on 05/19/2009
★★★★★
Cure A White Coating on the Tongue:
Never felt compelled to leave feedback on a website before but was so impressed by how quickly salt worked ridding my tongue of its horrid white coating, I just had to! Saw this posted, and as it was such a cheap and easy remedy I thought should give it a go. Unfortunately the experience of spreading around 1/2 teaspoon salt on my tongue wasn't pleasant (could barely stop mysef from gagging) but after gargling with salt water, then brushing salt on my tongue with a toothbrush, it was gone! A normal healthy looking pink tongue at last! And long may it last..
