Fermented Foods
★★★★★
General Feedback
Getting to the source of the problem. There may be many reasons that we have a white tongue, but there could be something that many of us have in common that we are eating, chemical exposure, dehydration, medication, etc.
Please note: Be careful with cleaning your tongue as some people develop constant tongue burning that does not go away.
Let's answer these questions so that we may see if we are doing something in common that is contributing to a white tonuge coating. Please feel free to add questions that you feel may have contributed to your white tongue coating. Try to think of something new that you did, something you ate, something you may have been exposed to, new medications, that you changed before you started getting a white tongue coating.
Please do not use any brand names as we are not allowed to use them on this site.
I included my answers.
1. Do you drink at least 8 glasses of filtered or bottled water each day? (8 ounces of water for a total of 64 ounces of water each day.) No
2. If not how many ounces do you drink? 30-50 ounces a day.
3. Do you have any digestive problems? (Stomach hurts, stomach uncomfortable at times, stomach enlarged, constipation, or diarrhea, etc.) Yes, stomach uncomfortable at times.
4. Are you taking any medications? Yes
5. If yes, what is it for? (Females include birth control pills.) Birth control pills.
6. Have you taken any antiyeast medications? Yes.
7. Do you drink alcohol? No.
8. Do you smoke? No.
9. Do you have any animals? If so what are they? Yes, 1 cat.
10. Have you been scratched or bitten by an animal? Scratched by cat.
11. Do you use or are you exposed to chemical cleaners? Such as bleach, counter cleaners, etc. Yes, bleach, toilet cleaner, and table cleaner.
12. Do you use air freshener in your home? Are you exposed to air freshener at work or at friend or relative's home? Yes, automatic air freshener in my home.
13. Do you wash your toothbrush? I do now. I wash it in dish soap and rinse well.
14. Do you soak your toothbrush in salt? Yes, I do now. (Occasionally)
15. Do you brush your teeth daily? Yes, sometimes 2x a day.
16. Do you floss daily? Yes.
17. What new foods did you start eating that you didn't eat before? Yogurt, salmon.
18. Anything else that you can think of? Not at this time.
(North Canton, Ohio)
09/26/2010
I had just read about medacation contributing to the "white coating" and was wondering if a. D. D. Medication, or reactive airways medication is contributing to my white tounge btw ive never smoked chewed or drank my stomach also hurts often I own 1 cat also I brush twice a day... So wut am I doing to cause the white coating? one more thing if I may add a question... Have you ever used chewing tobacco? no but it can lead to many tounge problems
Glycerin
★★★★★
I strongly recommend this as option 1.
(New York)
05/04/2012
★★★★★
Yea Thank G-D for this site!!! I have now put some Glycerin (Vegetable Glycerin) on my toothbrush & the white coating went away instantly! The dry mouth sensation is lessening also - AMAZING!!!
(Toronto, Ontario Canada)
09/02/2012
(Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa)
09/02/2012
Hi Carly, I personally would not use glycerin in my mouth. I suppose if you want to use it for your tongue, keep it isolated to that only and then rinse. When I was doing research on natural care for the teeth and re-mineralizing tooth enamel, it was emphasized not to use glycerin which is in almost all toothpaste. What it does is coat the teeth and the saliva cannot reach them to re-mineralize and heal the teeth. Anyway, just a thought, Lisa
Glycerin
★★★★★
(Denver, Colorado)
12/11/2011
★★★★★
I used vegatable glycerin for 3 days and my tongue is completely healed. It was a mess with a heavy white coating. I saw immediate improvement using the glycerin. Just put a few drops on your tooth brush and softly brush your tongue. It tastes great.
(Nyc , Ny)
03/03/2012
(Nashua, Nh Usa)
03/27/2012
★★★★★
Wow I just tried glycerin after I saw this thread & it works instantly. I will post back in another couple days see if it comes back. Thank you so much everyone!
(Washington)
07/06/2014
(Orange County)
07/19/2016
Glycerin
★★★★★
(Rockton, Pennsylvania)
11/26/2010
After trying H202 and several other remedies in vain I must say that I am extremely pleased with Glycerin for my coated tongue. I just bought some at my local drug store (not vegetable glycerin either), and upon first brush I could see it cleaning it up better than anything else did, and almost immediately! Granted I am only 10 minutes into this particular experiment but I am certainly optimistic! Thank you Earth Clinic.
(Phoenix, Arizona)
06/16/2011
★★★★★
CRAZY! Tried the USP Glycerin, not vegetable. Almost GONE after the first try. Three drops on my toothbrush. Insane! Got it over the counter at the pharmacy at Target.
(Mongomery Village, Md Usa)
07/25/2011
★★★★★
WOW! Never thought it could be this simple!!!! Just read this thread went to brush my tongue ( luckily I had glycerin @ home) and it's completely gone! Also the sensation of dry mouth and thirst disappeared!!! Thanks sooooo much for the tip!
(Dallas, Texas, Us)
10/27/2011
(Rustenburg, North West. South Africa)
10/27/2011
(Ottawa, On, Canada)
11/11/2011
★★★★★
I try to live as healthy as possible, but I do smoke and drink coffee. For as long as I remember, my tongue has had a grayish white coating on it, extending almost from the tip all the way to the back. Today I bought a bottle of USP Glycerin from the local drug store after reading this thread and the results have been super amazing. Not only does my tongue look much much better and pinker, it also feels nicer and cleaner in my mouth. I feel kissable again! <3
(Over Here, Md)
11/18/2011
★★★★★
Hi All! I've had BB for about 7 years(brush and it's smells bad again in 15 minutes) so thinking it was tonsil stones (had lots of throat infections & strep) I got my tonsils removed in early Oct. This didn't help the BB issue at all or stop the dry mouth and white tongue.
After looking at EC ... This morning I brushed my teeth and tongue with gylcerin and then with baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide. It took the white away immediately and my mouth has had a fresh feeling since.. Even after eating. I'll continue this and let you guys know how it turns out. I'm excited to possibly be able to talk to ppl with out adverse reactions.
(Whitehouse Sta, Nj Usa)
01/04/2012
(Dallas, Tx)
01/17/2012
★★★★★
That glycerin really works. I have not seen my red tongue for a long time. I put 3 drops on my toothbrush and brush my tongue slightly. Then use a tongue scraper to copmlete the job. My tongue stays pink until I eat again. I carry a small bottle of glycerin and a travel toothbrush to use after eating. Thank you for sharing this amazing tip.
(Los Angeles, Ca)
06/11/2012
(Portland, Oregon)
06/13/2012
Glycerin
EC: No, check the wound care section in your local pharmacy or grocery store. We usually see it on either the very top or the very bottom shelf. At Whole Foods, we once found a great brand of vegetable glycerin in the castor oil/massage oil section. Singers use veggie-based glycerin to coat sore throats as it's safe for internal use.
Here's one advertised at iherb.com: http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=7962&at=0
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
02/15/2011
I didn't know glycerin could be used like this! The only thing I've ever used it for is making fondant for cakes and restoring the consistency of icing when it dries out.
Wilton sells it in 59ml (2 fl oz. ) bottles in craft stores or cake decorating stores too. Usually about $5 (CAN), but if you go to a Michael's Craft Store with one of their 40% off coupons, it brings it down to $3.
I've had the white tongue problem for a while too, so I'm going to give this a try.
(Philadelphia, Pa)
06/20/2011
★★★☆☆
WORKED TEMPORARILY
I bought some Vegetable Glycerin from my favorite place, luckyvitamin.com. I got Natures Answer Extrac 4oz. After the first use I saw a change from a white tongue to a light pink one. I used my tongue brush. I would imagine after a few days of use my white tongue will be completely gone. I wish I read this a long time ago. I currently use Dr. Katz toothpaste and Motuhwash. It works but doesnt last as long as it states. Maybe the Dr. Katz and Vegetable Glycerin combo will eliminate the bad breath.
Glycerin
★★★★★
(Vancouver, BC Canada)
01/08/2009
Glycerin (oral health): Glycerin, including the drugstore USP type, is very effective in killing mouth bacteria and dissolving stains. It is an approved food additive, present in large quantities in ice cream, etc.
It works by hygroscopic action: it instantly pulls the water out of bacteria. Sip, swish, especially on the back of the tongue, and swallow for instant sweet breath. It is also a sweetener (60% sweetness rating); actually 3-carbon alcohol, with more uses than virtually any other chemical on Earth. (1500+ at last count).
Doubles healing speed, halves scarring.
(Seattle, Wa)
09/23/2014
★★★★☆
A coated tongue reflects what's going on in the digestive tract -- either poor digestion (for example, poor digestion of fats), or a bacterial or fungal infection. Glycerin may be 'cleaning' the tongue coating, but is it really doing anything to correct the cause of the problem? My guess is if one stops with the glycerin, and the tongue coating comes back, then the answer is "no". ???
Honey
★★★★☆
Hydrogen Peroxide
★☆☆☆☆
(Ohio/usa)
02/17/2014
I have found that rinsing the affected area of a geographical tongue with white vinegar will stop the progression of the white patches in their tracks!!! There is a very minimal amount of tingle involved, especially if applied immediately after brushing teeth & tongue. However, it is very quickly followed by a slight numbing feeling, which as you know will give you some relief as those patches can get very sore when brushing. I did this several times throughout the day during the last episode, mainly for the numbing effect & was surprised at the containment I noticed. Tried it again @ the very first sign this time & have noticed the same results! Hope this helps!
(Here)
06/25/2017
Working with a knowledgable natural nutritionist to learn about food sensitivities, digestive vitality, and candidiasis will go along way to increasing mouth health (white coating/geogrpwhical tongue)! I know because I have been there and done that, and have learned about such matters.
Geographical Tongue: food sensitivities- look into nightshade food family, foods high in histamine, and pH balances
White Coating - thrush/candidiasis - I have found swishing (called oil pulling) with coconut oil (ie. While in shower, or getting dressed, or making breakfast) and brushing is tremendously beneficial, and your teeth feel super smooth too! Coconut oil is antimicrobial and helps loosen "bad" bacteria's grip. Spit out swished oil, do not swallow. Rinse mouth. You can repeat this as often as you like throughout the day. Then go ahead and enjoy coconut oil mixed into yogurt, salads, and smoothies to support bacteria health in your intestines. May also break a probiotic capsule in mouth and swish it around, then spit out.
White coat equates to overgrowth of "bad" bacteria...which occurs in intestines and travels to the mouth and depending on severity, rest of body. Bringing good/bad bacteria back into balance (aka healthy gut flora) will prove beneficial to your mouth health and overall health. Listen to your tongue!
You are especially at risk if you have taken antibiotics that wipe out good bacteria with the bad, consume sugar/sugar drink which feed "bad bacteria, " and eat processed foods. Sound like you? Seek help, gain understanding, and help others once you have been helped, just as people are doing on this board!
Hydrogen Peroxide
★☆☆☆☆
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
Hydrogen Peroxide, Sea Salt
The tongue was pulled forward with a wash cloth and the patch cotton swabbed with 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide over a periode of 5 days. The pain was excruciating. Layer after layer came off the tongue. The tongue looks swollen but clean now.
(Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, india)
05/12/2011
Lie Bumps
I have asthma and allergies, and in my experience with lie bumps I have gotten them from scraping my tongue on my teeth (for example, if there is food stuck in my teeth) quite often. I also experienced oral thrush once in my life due to being extremely run down. I was also dating a person who was rather yeasty at the time, as well. While I had oral thrush I had many painful lie bumps on my tongue. This may seem to back up the idea that lie bumps are contagious, but that I had lie bumps for on occasions many years before this it would seem that I caught it a long time before then or that it is something else.
I have noticed that if I eat more sugar, I will get lie bumps more regularly. In my opinion, sugar, thrush, and all-too-often tongue abrasions along it seems as though lie bumps are opportunistic yeast outbreaks that take root in any small nick or scrap in the tongue, provided that your oral condition are favourable for any yeastie-beasties.
You need to avoid high levels of carbohydrates in your mouth, or at least keep it to the shortest amount of time. This means you need to:
- reduce your sugar intake
- chew your food well
- drink water, rinse or brush after eating (if you have eaten something acidic, leave the brushing for a bit to save damaging the enamel on your teeth)
- avoid sticky high sugar foods, like toffee
You also need to ensure that your mouth is alkaline enough to prevent/inhibit the growth of yeast. Avoid highly acidic foods and drinks, such as cola.
My advice to someone suffering from lie bumps is to take the above advice on lifestyle and diet, and to look into the symptoms of systemic candida overgrowth as it is likely that the lie bumps are just one symptom of a bigger problem.
If you want to get rid of a current outbreak of lie bumps, I would recommend you try:
- applying a small amount of salt directly on to the bump and leaving it as long as possible
- avoid rubbing the bump on teeth as much as possible
- gargle a drop or two of an antifungal essential oil in warm water (oregano, tea tree, lavender, mint, cinnamon, thyme, clove...
- gargle salt water or iodine in water
- gargle some cayenne pepper (if you can handle it)
- swishing live-culture yoghurt in your mouth
- brush your teeth a minimum of two times a day, and rinse after eating any food
Try applying salt, gargling 1-2 times a day, swishing yoghurt and brushing and rinsing your mouth frequently.
Listerine
★★★★★
(Los Angeles, Ca Usa)
12/11/2009
★☆☆☆☆
(Eugene, Or)
04/27/2012
I can't use listerine or any alcohol-based mouthwash. Makes my situation worse. It dries out my mouth and so encourages the anearobic bacteria which hide out in a pocket behind a wisdom tooth ( I now keep it clean with a rubber-tipped thingy dipped in hydrogen peroxide). I thought I was doing good but not so. Please do not recommend Listerine.
(Hilo, Hawaii)
07/28/2012
★☆☆☆☆
Milk of Magnesia and Salt
★★★★★
After a life of partying, drinking, eating bad stuff, bad sleep and so on, I became sensitive to white coated tongue and acne. 7 years ago, I went to a doctor.. and he said it might be b12 deficiency.. I took b12 and nothing happened, then the doctor said it was just a case of geographic tongue. I was frustrated that I couldn't find a solution for that and then I purchased a book about geographic tongue, but the information there was about sleeping with nystatin powder in the tongue, and taking a antibiotic called flagyl. Well, here in Brazil we don't have nystatin powder, so I became literally the entire day holding that liquid on the mouth for days, and taking huge amounts.. The tongue didn't even improve a bit. Then the complications became very bad and with my stomach problems, I had to do a stomach surgery that I couldn't eat for 15 days, just jelly with sugar and water. Amanzingly, my tongue was pink for the first time in 5 years, but as soon as I started eating again, I got the white tongue again..
Very well.. few years passed and I experimented with a lot.. lots of frustration, and I tried brushing with salt.. a lot of the white came off, but did not solve the problem. Turns out that the salt exfoliates tongue, so it helps A LOT, but at some point, the white stuff didn't come off anymore and kept there. Then I read here in earthclinic in the Thrush page that people were using Milk of Magnesia. I hold The Milk of Magnesia the ENTIRE DAY, like 16 hours, and then in the intervals, I brushed my tongue every 3 hours with salt. Then BOOM, this was the secret, the Milk Of Magnesia softens the white stuff and the salt exfoliates it. This is the perfect combination, and nothing else than that helps for me.
Trust me, I tried colloidal silver, MMS, probiotics, holding everything I read above my tongue.. Pau Darco teas and so on.
I found that If I eat certain things like a VERY unbalanced meal like just Carbs, or just Fat, it was a matter of time before I feel upset stomach and white tongue.
Stress is also a trigger.
Alcohol is a trigger
And, incredibly, orgasm is a trigger (I'm male). According to my research, people say a lot that when they have acne, their tongue is also always white. When fapping, it releases a lot of hormones, creating acne and guess what.. white tongue..
The trick I told before is only for removing the SYMPTOM, and not treating the illness.
I also tried 7 capsules of betaine HCL with each meal, enzymes, you name it.. never worked.
So basically my life is being stress free, balanced meals always, milk of magnesia and salt for oral care, being pretty much a monk (no sex/no orgasm).
But hey.. I'm just sharing my experience. I still trying to find out a real CURE for this. I want to have a girlfriend and be able to eat things like a avocado smoothie again, or eating an omellete without knowing that I will have this white tongue. I hope I give ou guys some ideas to test..
(Texas)
05/19/2018
Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I think it is the stress and after I eat I get stomach gas and seems to irritate my tongue. Also, just being physical at work really dries out my mouth and make it worse. It used to come and go, but now it never goes..lol. Ive tried everything! At this moment I am trying to make my own kefir, I take adrenal active(for adrenal fatigue due to chronic stress), garlic pills and Omega 3. Just started on all this a week ago. Salt used to work a bit, but now it seems not to. It seems the papillae themselves are a bit long and white.
