Your body is a great communicator. When something is wrong, your body will alert you. It’s possible that your tooth is the cause of sharp pain when you drink hot or cold beverages.
What’s your body trying to say when you look at your yellow tongue in a mirror? This article will explain the causes and symptoms of a yellowish-colored tongue.
Why is my tongue yellow?
Yellowing of the tongue can indicate something is wrong. The yellowing of the tongue is generally harmless. It could be a sign of underlying conditions. Two common causes of yellowing are poor oral hygiene and dry lips.
Your tongue’s papillae (small bumps on your tongue’s surface) can also become contaminated by bacteria or food. If your papillae become enlarged from bacteria in your mouth, your papillae may turn discolored. You can fix this by practicing good oral hygiene.
Although yellow tongue is usually harmless, poor oral hygiene can cause serious conditions like gum disease or tooth loss. Make sure you take care of your teeth. Brush your teeth at minimum twice a day, and be sure to brush your tongue.
Water flossers and interdental brushes can be used to clean between your teeth at minimum once a day. You might also consider a tongue scraper or a mouthrinse. To detect potential problems early, regular checkups with your dentist is recommended. These are some other options:
- Drink plenty of water
- A nutritious diet is essential.
- Stop smoking if you’re a smoker.
Even if you’ve maintained good oral hygiene habits, a yellowish tongue may still persist. If this happens, you should consult your dentist. You may have a more serious condition.
What causes yellow tongue and other conditions?
A yellow tongue could also be obtained from:
- Geographic language
This benign condition is caused by a missing papillae on your tongue. This condition can lead to reddish or white spots on the map that appear like islands. These “islands”, which may look like islands, can appear as if they have yellow borders. This condition is not dangerous, and it tends to disappear by itself. - Slender, black hairy, thin tongue
Columbia University states that your tongue might appear yellow before developing black hair. Because of the accumulation of skin cells, the papillae get longer. Consuming certain substances can make the papillae longer. This isn’t serious and can easily be treated with good oral hygiene and avoiding smoking. - Medications
If you are taking certain medications, your tongue could change in color. Bismuth-containing medications can cause yellow discoloration. Bismuth is found in medications that treat nausea, stomach upset, heartburn and acid reflux. - Jaundice
Jaundice can cause yellow discoloration to your skin, eyes, and tongue. Jaundice can cause your tongue to turn yellow. Jaundice can be caused by excessive bilirubin which your liver does not properly break down. This could be a sign of more serious conditions like liver disease, blood disease, or bile-duct obstruction. You should contact your doctor immediately if you suspect that you might have jaundice.
A yellowish-colored tongue is common and can be treated by good oral hygiene. If the condition persists, your healthcare provider should be consulted. Although we don’t know the exact cause of yellow tongue, we hope they can help you smile again.