Your body is an excellent communicator. Your body will let you know when something is not right. If you feel sharp pain while drinking hot or cold beverages, it’s likely that your tooth is causing the problem. What is your body trying say when you see your yellow tongue in the mirror? This article will discuss the possible causes, symptoms, as well as treatments, for a yellow-colored tongue.
Why is my tongue yellow?
A yellow tongue could indicate that something is not right. A yellowing of the tongue is usually harmless. However, it could indicate an underlying condition. Poor oral hygiene and dry mouth are two common causes of yellowing the tongue. In addition, your tongue’s papillae, which are small bumps on the surface of your tongue, can become contaminated with bacteria and food. Your papillae can become discolored if your papillae are enlarged by bacteria from your mouth. This can be fixed by maintaining good oral hygiene.
While yellow tongue is generally harmless, poor oral hygiene can lead to serious conditions such as gum disease and tooth loss. Take care of your dental health. Brush your teeth at least twice daily, and make sure to brush your tongue.
Use interdental brushes and water flossers to clean between your teeth at least once per day. Other helpful products such as an antimicrobial tongue scraper and a mouthrinse may be considered. Regular checkups with your dentist are recommended to detect any potential problems early. You can also consider the following steps:
- Get plenty of water
- A nutritious diet is essential.
- If you are a smoker, quit smoking.
If your yellow tongue persists after you have practiced good oral hygiene, or if you are concerned about your condition, make an appointment to see your dentist or health professional. There may be a more serious condition.
What Causes Yellow Tongue and Other Conditions?
You could also get a yellow tongue from:
- Geographic language
This harmless condition occurs when your tongue has missing papillae. It can cause red or white patches on the map that look like islands. These “islands” may appear as if they have a yellow border. This condition is not dangerous and tends to disappear on its own. - Black hairy, slender tongue
Columbia University says that your tongue may appear yellow before it develops black hair. The papillae become longer because of the accumulation of dead skin cells. The substances you consume can cause papillae to become longer. It’s not serious and can be easily treated by avoiding smoking and practicing good oral hygiene. - Medications
Your tongue may also change color if you take certain medications. Yellow discoloration can be caused by bismuth-containing medicines. Bismuth can be found in medicines that treat nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, stomach upset, heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach pain. - Jaundice
Jaundice can lead to yellow discoloration of your skin, eyes and tongue. In some cases, your tongue can turn yellow from jaundice. Jaundice is caused by too much bilirubin, which your liver doesn’t properly break down. This could indicate more serious conditions such as liver disease, blood disease or bile-duct blockage. If you suspect you may have jaundice, you should immediately contact your doctor.
You can rest assured that a yellowish tongue is a common condition and can be treated with good oral hygiene. Your healthcare provider should be consulted if the condition persists. We don’t care what the cause of yellow tongue is, but we do hope that they can help you to smile again.