What does a coated tongue say?
A coated tongue is harmless in most cases. However, we should keep a close eye on it if the coating changes shape and color. Coating occurs because food particles, bacteria or even shed tissue cells are deposited on the tongue. When a person is healthy, their tongue is usually pale red, smooth and moist. It is also covered with a whitish coating made up of the deposits mentioned. This coating is usually rubbed off when eating or during daily oral hygiene, so there is no cause for concern. However, a coated tongue can also reflect our state of health and indicate illness . So check your tongue regularly, ideally in the morning before eating or drinking coffee.
Coated tongue, should you see a doctor?
When should you see a doctor? Generally if you feel generally unwell, have a fever or a burning tongue, or if your tongue coating changes drastically or if bad breath persists despite brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue.
In general, however, a coated tongue is full of bacteria: around 60 to 80 percent of all bacteria in the mouth are found in the tongue coating . The rest are food residues and dead mucous membrane cells that serve as food for the bacteria. Food residues and cells decomposed by bacteria can be harmful and cause bad breath, gingivitis or periodontitis, as well as attacking tooth enamel and promoting tooth decay.
mouthwash
Cleaning your tongue: Does it make sense?
Both brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue are part of general oral hygiene. The purpose of brushing your teeth is undisputed, but what about cleaning your tongue? In Ayurvedic medicine at least, cleaning the tongue with a tongue scraper or oil pulling is very important. Since the coating on the tongue is a waste product and breaks down into harmful substances, it makes sense for many people to regularly remove residues and bacteria . However, whether this also leads to a reduction in bacteria is scientifically controversial. There are also no studies to date that have proven a connection between tongue coating and a higher risk of dental disease . But in Ayurvedic medicine in particular, the tongue is seen as an extension of the gastrointestinal tract. Cleaning a coated tongue is said to have a positive effect on digestion.
Cleaning a coated tongue
For cleaning, it is recommended to use a special tongue scraper, which gently removes the coating from the tongue. Alternatively, a teaspoon can be used, although due to its round shape, it does not scrape as evenly as a special tongue scraper. A toothbrush or oil pulling are also used for tongue hygiene, both of which are becoming increasingly popular. The methods at a glance:
tongue scraper
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Do not apply too much pressure.
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Rinse the tongue scraper under running water after each scraping.
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Repeat the process several times.
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Then rinse your mouth – you can also use a mouthwash.
toothbrush
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To clean a coated tongue, gently brush the tongue evenly with the toothbrush .
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It is better to use a separate toothbrush, otherwise the bacteria will only spread throughout your mouth.
oil pulling
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To do this, put some vegetable oil or an oil mixture into the mouth with a spoon.
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Swish it around your mouth for several minutes and then spit the oil out.
This type of cleaning of the oral cavity is intended to remove toxins and harmful substances from the body via the tongue and oral mucosa . Oil pulling is intended to stimulate the salivary glands and thus draw harmful substances out of the organism. Many positive effects are attributed to oil pulling , but these are based only on reports of experience and are not scientifically proven.
Home Remedies for Coated Tongue
Home remedies can also help clean the tongue. Some types of tea are said to have a disinfectant effect - especially sage tea or black tea . Antibacterial mouthwashes can also clean the tongue and the entire oral cavity. In general, if you drink a lot, you reduce the risk of a coated tongue because you rinse your mouth regularly. Chewing firm foods is also said to help reduce tongue coating. Carrots and apples in particular can help to remove a coated tongue. Chewing gum can also be helpful because constant chewing stimulates the flow of saliva and thus the rinsing and swallowing process.
A little tip : Make your own mouthwash – for example from chamomile flowers, thyme, sage or myrrh. The herbal ingredients have antibacterial properties and can kill bacteria. Olive oil or aloe vera are also often used for mouthwashes.
What to do if your tongue is heavily coated?
Well, a little whitish coating is normal. This can usually be easily removed by mechanical friction, for example with a tongue scraper during oral hygiene or when eating and chewing. However, a coated tongue can also have other causes. This should be investigated if the shape and color visibly change or if other symptoms such as fever or malaise occur.
Possible causes of stronger tongue coatings:
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diseases of teeth and gums
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High consumption of coffee, tea, alcohol or milk
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Predominant consumption of mushy, soft food (there is no abrasion of the tongue through chewing)
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fungal infection in the mouth
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gastrointestinal diseases
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Infectious diseases such as scarlet fever, diphtheria or typhus
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Certain medications such as antibiotics
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Lack of general oral and dental care
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flu-like infections
To avoid a heavy coating on your tongue, make sure you chew your food well and don't swallow it too quickly. Drink enough, i.e. at least one and a half to two liters a day . Maintain good oral hygiene and brush at least twice a day. Use dental floss to clean between your teeth. Use a tongue scraper or tongue brush for a coated tongue and rinse your mouth regularly, using a mouthwash if necessary. If you are unsure about the origin of the coating on your tongue, you should consult a specialist.
Tip: Many dentists offer professional tongue cleaning. Special tongue suckers or ultrasound devices are used. This is repeated approximately every three months - the cost is around forty euros, depending on the provider.
