White Tongue Diseases

According to the Mayo Clinic, most of the time white tongue diseases are harmless. Your doctor or dentist can diagnose your condition, determine the cause, and help you treat the problem as efficiently as possible.

Types

• Oral thrush and lichen planus are two diseases that may make your tongue white. Oral thrush is a yeast infection; lichen planus is an inflammatory skin disorder. Sometimes people develop a white tongue as a response to an inflammation of the papillae, the tiny bumps on your tongue.

Symptoms

• The white coating on your tongue may be flat, raised or bumpy, depending on the cause. You may experience pain and soreness of your tongue, especially if you have lichen planus or oral thrush.

Dangers

• People who develop some forms of white tongue may be at risk for developing oral cancer, according to Netwellness, an online resource associated with The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University and the University of Cincinnati.

Treatment

• Depending on the cause of your white tongue, treatment may not be necessary. Thrush is treated with anti-fungal medications. Drinking water can help remove and prevent some forms of white coating. Topical medications can relieve lichen planus pain.

Prevention

• Some diseases that manifest themselves through a white tongue may be prevented. The American Academy of Dermatology states that people who use tobacco and alcohol products are more at risk for lichen planus. The Mayo Clinic states that smoking increases the risk of papillae irritation. Cutting back on sugary foods may prevent some cases of oral thrush.