I had a white coating on my tongue for a long time. The salt remedy didn't work for me (it made the coating orange). After doing research on the web I tried this, and it worked in ONE DAY:
I took a large spoon and filled it half full of water. I opened one of my probiotics (commonly called "acidophilus") capsules, and poured a small amount of the powder into the water. I used very little, only about half the size of a pencil eraser. I rocked the spoon back and forth to get all of the powder wet. After brushing my teeth and right before going to bed, I swallowed the contents of the spoon. That's it!
The next day my tongue coating was better, and doing it a few more nights made an incredible difference. You don't have to wait weeks or months to see if this works for you. I didn't scrape my tongue or do anything else special, though I do think that limiting your sugar intake is beneficial.
My probiotics have two bacterial strains: L acidophilus and B. lactis (also known as B. infantis), and it is quite concentrated at 15 billion organisms per capsule. I'm guessing that any good probiotic would work, but have only tried mine.
Replied By Noodles (Houston, Tx) on 04/01/2011
I figured out the cure. I had years of white tongue that reeked out bad breath within 10 or 15 min of me brushing my teeth. No kidding. Now I have a semi pink tongue with only two days of me brushing with "the cure" ...........Replied 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.Replied 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?
Replied By Cherryxtc (Queens, Ny) on 12/06/2011
I've had a white tongue coating for a few years now. I started taking acidophilus capsules, twice daily which improved my tongue immensely. Then I added Dr Whitakers Ear, Nose and Throat Defense which is a probiotic lozenge and my tongue coating was in check all day. It bothered me that my tongue would return to white again so I started taking a tbsp. of coconut oil a day. The coconut oil kills the fungus in your body. Since starting the coconut oil my tongue is almost ALWAYS pink. And I no longer have to brush and scrape my tongue all day. I hope you find something that works for you.Replied By Duc (La, Ca, Usa) on 12/13/2011
Can we get these capsules over the counter at a drug store?Replied By Sonicboom (Irving, Tx) on 01/13/2012
Have you ever noticed that when you speak to someone having bad breath, you will start having the same breath. It may sound strange but I found it in so many cases to be true. Then some research I could only found that people tend to close their mouth and reduce the air intake via mouth and generates less or no saliva. Saliva has the duty of keeping your mouth and tongue clean and so less saliva will aid dead/live bacteria and food particle buildup on the rear tongue. This all happens so fast (5 to 10 mins) that the person with the halitosis can suddenly notice the bad breath when the other person speaks. This is just that I noticed in few week's time. Try out keep breathing through mouth and keep mouth, lips and tongue wet with saliva. Try and tell us if it works ...Replied 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!Replied By anon (Bronx, Ny) on 04/09/2012
This did it for me! I have had a white tongue basically my whole life. Nothing helped. After reading this, I went to a natural foods store and bought the most probiotic-filled probiotic I could find. I checked every label and got one with the most variety of probiotics (I can post the exact label and content if someone needs). It was in the refridgerated section, and came as a powder. I'm not going to lie, it was a lot more money than I felt like spending! You can just take the powder straight, or mix with water or juice. It tastes kind of like graham crackers. After the first day, I didn't see a difference, and was a little discouraged. But after maybe 4 days, while brushing, I realized that my tongue was a beautiful, healthy red-pink! It's been like that ever since. It's so frustrating having a white tongue when you know you're healthy and hygenic. I think it's just caused by a natural imbalance of oral flora, and the probiotic stabilizes the environment. I highly recommend this solution! And thank you to the OP!Replied By Oleo (Orlando, Florida) on 04/28/2012
After using so many over the counter products and prescribed Rx's, finally I am feeling content.. After using acidophilus for two days I have noticed a great improvement in my tongue. It is worth to mention that I also feel a better taste in my mouth. Am considering taking a daily dose for at least a month and then see if I have a recurrent episode.Replied By Jane (Philadelphia, Pa) on 05/24/2012
Yes - the acidophilus is working well for me, too.
One important caveat, however:
The key (for me, at least) is to use the "deep down" version of acidophilus, known as "pearls, " which are coated, so that they are not destroyed during the digestion process (by stomach acids, etc. ). This way, they can really do the work they need to do much deeper down in the "gut" area of your system.
Please note: There are a few different brands of probiotics that have this kind of special protective coating, not just the ones known commercially as "pearls, " though these happen to be the ones I have been using, mainly because they were the ones available at my local store (and also because they do not require refrigeration, so you can travel easily with them). I will probably keep exploring all different brand options among these coated varieties of probiotics to see which ones I ultimately like best.
Replied 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.Replied By Maz (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia) on 07/27/2012
To get rid of candida which is the common cause of bad breath and acne, it is recommended to take oregano oil for two to three weeks. Take a break for two weeks and then take olive leaf extract for two week. Take a break for two weeks and so on. Do that for a period of no longer than eight weeks in total. Olive leaf and oil of oregano which is available on Amazon.com. Candigest is a powerful supplement which digests the cellulose (of which candida is largely composed) and kills the yeast. You are also suggested to take Candigest for a period of 30-60 days.Replied 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
Replied 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.Replied By David (Boston, Ma) on 10/09/2012
Fantastic overnight results by using a small amount of probiotic dissolved in a spoonful of water and flooded over the tongue. I've been taking probiotics regularly with no effect, but this method introduces the probiotic strains in mouth, tongue and throat, instead of down in the gut.
The Cure: Brush teeth. Open a high-potency probiotic capsule. Dump a small amount (about 1/4 the contents) into a tablespoon of water and stir to dissolve. Reseal the capsule and swallow it as normal. Now take the tblspoon of dissolved probiotic and let it flood over your tongue and down your throat. Swallow. Go to bed. Observe pink tongue in morning.
I have no idea as yet whether this will have a lasting effect -- but I'll gladly do this daily if needed. This is the first time in a very long while that I have not had a white tongue without vigorous brushing, scraping and gagging... and THAT method was never more than partially successful.
High potency Probiotics are usually found in a refrigerator case in pharmacy or healthfood store (e. g. Wholefoods).
Replied 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...Replied By Jon Jon (New York, Ny) on 12/22/2012
Wow!!! This worked instantly. I feel better too. I had a nasty white film on my tongue for weeks. I tried the peroxide for 2 weeks to no avail. I bought some acidophilus for 10 bucks at the drug store and followed the instructions. BOOM Gone! Thanks!Replied By Sonya (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 04/30/2013
I followed the advice of David from Boston and it is truly working alongside with I began oil pulling twice a day as well as brushing my teeth with baking soda, sea salt and peroxide. The change happened over nite once I used the probiotic exactly how he explains it. THANKS A MILLION, DAVID!!!!!!Replied 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!!!Replied By Maybloom (Melbourne,australia) on 03/26/2014
After reading all the reply about "acidophilus" I bought one and used it like you mention. It's been 4 days since and my coated-white tongue get worse! What do I do?Replied By Mike62 (Denver) on 03/26/2014
Maybloom: Live active bakers yeast has cured many people. The good yeasts replace the bad yeasts. Yeast over growth is caused by eating high fat high carb. Eat either raw organic high carb low fat or raw grass fed high fat low carb.Replied By Mary (Toledo) on 01/04/2017
Can anyone name a brand of acidophilus that can cure a white tongue? Thank you!Replied By Margot (Atlanta) on 03/11/2017
What was the brand that you used? Thanks!