Is your tongue looking a bit yellow today?
A yellow tongue is usually harmless and will disappear over time. However, some conditions can cause your tongue to turn yellow and may require medical attention.
Here’s everything you need to know about a yellow tongue and how to get rid of it.
Why Is My Tongue Yellow?
Some yellow tongue causes include:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Bacteria and dead skin cells will accumulate on the surface of your tongue if you don’t brush your teeth regularly. Bacteria can release pigments that can turn your tongue yellow, while the foods, drinks, and medications you consume get trapped on the small bumps on the surface of your tongue and turn your tongue yellow.
Diabetes
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology found that yellow tongue coatings were associated with diabetes. It also tends to be associated with pre-diabetes among non-smoking Japanese women and men.
Geographic Tongue
Having missing patches of papillae on your tongue is a condition called geographic tongue. Doctors aren’t sure why it happens, but it may sometimes run in families.
This condition makes the tongue look like a map, hence the name. The patches of missing papillae are usually red-colored, but they also turn yellow. Sometimes, they may also cause pain.
Medications
Pepto-Bismol and other bismuth subsalicylate-containing medications can turn your tongue different colors, from yellow to black. Your stool may also become darker in color.
Antibiotics can make you more susceptible to oral thrush, an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans that causes white or yellow patches on your lips, inner cheeks, and gums. Some antibiotics also cause a black hairy tongue, though rarely.
Other medications or drugs can temporarily change the color of your tongue and mouth. Signs of discoloration often appear on the upper surface of the tongue.
Medications that can discolor your mouth include:
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Psychotropic drugs that can cause dry mouth
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Iron
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Zidovudine
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Lansoprazole
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Oral contraceptives
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Busulfan and cyclophosphamide
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Anti-malaria drugs
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Chemotherapy drugs
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Chlorpromazine
Diet
Some foods and drinks can temporarily yellow or brown your tongue. These include coffee, juices, and foods with yellow dyes like crackers, chips, and candies. Some vitamins and supplements also have yellow dye.
Dry Mouth
An inadequate amount of saliva in the mouth can lead to a dry mouth. Saliva usually removes the bacteria from your mouth, which helps prevent tooth decay. Yellow patches can form on your tongue if your mouth is dry.
Some of the causes of dry mouth include medications, diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, radiation, chemotherapy, and breathing through the mouth when sleeping.
Black Hairy Tongue
A black hairy tongue is another harmless condition caused by an overgrowth of the skin cells on the tongue. The bumps on the tongue called papillae grow larger and often change colors due to bacteria, dirt, food, and other substances.
Despite having “black” in its name, this condition can also turn the tongue yellow or other colors before turning black.
Tobacco Products
Chewing or smoking tobacco products can cause your tongue to turn yellow or black hairy tongue.
Autoimmune Conditions
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that can cause flaky, scaly skin. In some cases, you may also get yellowish edges and red patches on the tongue.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition that causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow. Bilirubin is a pigment formed when red blood cells are broken down. It will accumulate in different parts of your body, including your tongue and the inside of your mouth, if your liver can’t process it properly.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have jaundice. It could indicate a more severe condition like:
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Hepatitis
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Liver cancer
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Pancreatic cancer
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Bile duct obstruction
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Cirrhosis
How To Get Rid of Yellow Tongue
Yellow tongue treatment is usually not needed since it’s a harmless condition. However, you can still take steps to get rid of it. Some of these include:
Clean your tongue with hydrogen peroxide and water.
A yellow tongue doesn’t really need medical treatment, but if it’s bothering you, you can try gently brushing your tongue with a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide and five parts water. Rinse your mouth several times with water.
Improve your oral hygiene.
Improving oral hygiene is one of the easiest ways to get rid of a yellow tongue. Brush your teeth using a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristle toothbrush twice daily and floss at least once a day. It also helps if you visit your dentist for a checkup and professional cleaning and maintenance. Doing all of these will help you get rid of and prevent yellow tongue and make sure your teeth and gums are healthy.
Quit smoking.
Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your body, not just for your mouth. However, know that it is not an easy road. Some of the things you can do to quit smoking include:
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Asking your doctor for advice and prescriptions for medications to relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms
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Finding support groups or seeking one-on-one counseling
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Using a nicotine patch, lozenge, gum, or spray
Seek medical attention if your yellow tongue doesn’t disappear despite practicing good oral hygiene and quitting cigarettes; a more severe condition might be causing your yellow-coated tongue. Make an appointment to see your dentist or doctor as soon as you can.
Key Takeaway
A yellow tongue is a harmless condition caused by various conditions and consumed substances. Sometimes, it’s linked to conditions like diabetes and jaundice, which will need medical attention. Most of the time, it resolves on its own or by improving your oral hygiene. However, if it remains despite improved oral care and is accompanied by pain, it’s best to seek immediate medical attention.
Improve your oral health with Century Dental.
Taking care of your oral health is one of the best ways to prevent and remove a yellow tongue. Our dentist near Treasure Island, FL, provides the best preventive dental services that will keep your teeth and gums healthy and keep a yellow tongue at bay. Contact us today for a lasting, healthy smile.
