Acidophilus
★★★★★
I started searching on the internet and after years of trial and error, I found a process that keeps it at bay, and ironically I live a much healthier and happier lifestyle now because of my bad breath.
I found out it was candida that was causing the halitosis and I read up on that. There is a ton of info online about the candida diet that I wont go into here. Some people go hard core into it but I made a few changes in my diet and am also aware of things that can cause a candida outbreak. In general I stay away from sugars, alcohol, cigarettes and vinegar.
Now for the products I use. I found that toothpaste that does not have sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) works best because it does not dry my mouth. Also I stay away from alcohol based mouth washes for the same reason.
I carry a travel toothbrush (the ones that fold) and a small tube of toothpaste if I go out at night. I have one in my car and at the office, and I brush after every meal.
I use a sugar free xylitol gum after I brush my teeth to bring some moisture back into my mouth. Xylitol also makes it difficult for the candida to stick to surfaces of your mouth.
This was my system for several years and it was fairly effective but I still knew I had bad breath several times a day and had to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth, then chew xylitol gum. Even then, sometimes it would come right back, requiring 5 or more trips to the bathroom during an evening out and not feeling "kissably confident".
What really brought my confidence back was Acidophilus. At first I took pills, and they helped but the most effective product I have found is a liquid Acidophilus probitic. I think it is because it coats my tongue, and throat. It really, really helps. Probably more than anything else, but its not a cure and won't do it alone.
So now after each meal, I brush my teeth with SLS free toothpaste, use alcohol free mouth wash, then swish 2 table spoons of acidophilus yogurt in my mouth and swallow. If my mouth gets dry I use xylitol gum. I stay away from sugars, alcohol, vinegar and cigarettes, and after 10 years of embarrassment, trial and error I finally have my bad breath under control.
If I don't do the above it comes right back, but my lifestyle is much healthier, and my confidence is SO much higher! It took me many years to refine this system, I can only hope it helps someone else with this dreadful problem.
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
03/28/2014
Hello Magnus,
Re tongue coating and metallic taste;
Glad the situation is under control but to know just how much under control you might want to experiment. When you find yourself with a free weekend where you are pretty much by yourself, suspend your normal preventative formula. If the white coating and metallic taste come back quickly then the underlying cause is still very much present. Clearly, an infection is at work; likely as you said...fungus, but may be combined with a virus and/or bacteria. I've found that if I take two tablespoons of Colloidal Silver and hold in mouth allowing it to swish back into throat and barely "drain" down back of tongue, that all candida is eliminated and breath issues are resolved so long as regular hygiene is practiced. I use the CS to insure underlying oral hygiene four or five times weekly. After holding the CS in mouth for a full minute (swishing around) then spit out. Usually then I drink the same amount to kill viruses in the body. I used to have a white coating issue (never the metallic you spoke of) and after I started the CS "mouth wash" the problem was quickly eliminated.
(Staten Island, Ny)
12/31/2014
I have the same exact problem you had, for 10 yrs. As far I understand candida has to do with your immune system. You need to boost it up. Best way to keep your symptoms eliminate from the root. What diet, workout, you do and how often ? Does your bb come back?
(Minnesota, US)
04/06/2015
Magnus,
What is the name of your toothpaste? I have been told to use the SLS free toothpaste. I have yet to find any and have looked everywhere. I am into my second bout of oral thrush within a year. Very disturbing to me.
Thanks, Take care. Gerry
(Pa, US)
04/18/2015
(Fort Lauderdale, Fl)
07/12/2016
Can you specify the name of the probiotic, acidophilus I need to buy. My tongue is extremely white and I have a very dry mouth. My doctor tells me I have IBS. It comes and goes and I feel very run down. Looking for a solution. Claudia
Acidophilus
★★★★★
(Dubai Uae)
04/14/2014
Hi, I also have a white problem in my tongue and I really hate it. I just read that you are using Acidophilus. Can you pls. help me- what is the proper way to use this medicine? Do I need to gargle or do I need to swallow it? thanks ..
(Winamac, In Usa)
04/15/2014
It is my understanding that "white tongue", also referred to as Thrush, is a sign of candida yeast. Acidophilus can be used to treat it, and is found in most any decent yogurt that's available. Just read the label. The acidophilus will also help keep your digestive system functioning properly. If this doesn't work, I might suggest doing a little internet research on the use of "grapefruit seed extract" to eliminate thrush, or any other yeast infections. Just make sure to do the research before using. It's amazing stuff when used properly. It can be purchased at many health food stores in the US and also online.
Acidophilus
(Battleground, Wash)
05/09/2013
Coconut oil... Brush teeth with it plus a little baking soda added.... Eat it in diet or just put a blob in your mouth before bed... and spit in trash in morning.... whitens teeth/ sweetens breath/ kill bacteria/ and makes tongue healthy shade of red
(La)
01/28/2014
Detox go on anti-candida diet better yet consider a serious detox by green juicing go on the Gerson Diet and get colonics . Also get checked for hidden cavities or infections in the mouth or throat . Take mega probiotics to get the right flora growing, drink lots of water and get on clean vegetarian diet for while and see how you feel.
(United States)
12/31/2014
Ultra flora probiotic 50 billion, fiber food, snacks, breakfast, vegetables, fruit, smoothy fruits. Vitamic C 1500 ml. And others. ?. Workout 3 to 5 days a week. AND HAVE PATIENCE. Brush, floss
Im dental receptionist, I suffer from that symptoms.
(Wisconsin)
07/18/2016
Should a person take more than 1 probiotic to get a variety of strains? It occurred to me that we don't know which strains we need and therefore might be wasting money or not get the help we need because we aren't taking the right probiotic. They are all different.
Acidophilus
★★★★★
I had a white coating on my tongue for a long time. The salt remedy didn't work for me (it made the coating orange). After doing research on the web I tried this, and it worked in ONE DAY:
I took a large spoon and filled it half full of water. I opened one of my probiotics (commonly called "acidophilus") capsules, and poured a small amount of the powder into the water. I used very little, only about half the size of a pencil eraser. I rocked the spoon back and forth to get all of the powder wet. After brushing my teeth and right before going to bed, I swallowed the contents of the spoon. That's it!
The next day my tongue coating was better, and doing it a few more nights made an incredible difference. You don't have to wait weeks or months to see if this works for you. I didn't scrape my tongue or do anything else special, though I do think that limiting your sugar intake is beneficial.
My probiotics have two bacterial strains: L acidophilus and B. lactis (also known as B. infantis), and it is quite concentrated at 15 billion organisms per capsule. I'm guessing that any good probiotic would work, but have only tried mine.
(Houston, Tx)
04/01/2011
★★★★★
I figured out the cure. I had years of white tongue that reeked out bad breath within 10 or 15 min of me brushing my teeth. No kidding. Now I have a semi pink tongue with only two days of me brushing with "the cure" ...........
(Fort Washington, Pa)
05/10/2011
★★★★★
It worked amazingly well. After trying many things including Apple Cider Vinegar, I saw a huge improvement after one time with the acidophilus. I have not been on antibiotics in years, but it still worked. Well worth a try.
(Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
06/01/2011
Question: The original post from Fred said to swallow the acidophilus mix, however Noodles said he was "brushing with "the cure"".
Are we supposed to do the Fred or Noodles technique?
(Queens, Ny)
12/06/2011
I've had a white tongue coating for a few years now. I started taking acidophilus capsules, twice daily which improved my tongue immensely. Then I added Dr Whitakers Ear, Nose and Throat Defense which is a probiotic lozenge and my tongue coating was in check all day. It bothered me that my tongue would return to white again so I started taking a tbsp. of coconut oil a day. The coconut oil kills the fungus in your body. Since starting the coconut oil my tongue is almost ALWAYS pink. And I no longer have to brush and scrape my tongue all day. I hope you find something that works for you.
(La, Ca, Usa)
12/13/2011
Can we get these capsules over the counter at a drug store?
(Irving, Tx)
01/13/2012
Have you ever noticed that when you speak to someone having bad breath, you will start having the same breath. It may sound strange but I found it in so many cases to be true. Then some research I could only found that people tend to close their mouth and reduce the air intake via mouth and generates less or no saliva. Saliva has the duty of keeping your mouth and tongue clean and so less saliva will aid dead/live bacteria and food particle buildup on the rear tongue. This all happens so fast (5 to 10 mins) that the person with the halitosis can suddenly notice the bad breath when the other person speaks. This is just that I noticed in few week's time. Try out keep breathing through mouth and keep mouth, lips and tongue wet with saliva. Try and tell us if it works ...
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
02/07/2012
Acidophilus worked for one day. Glycerin worked for one hour. I am getting fed up of this someone please help!
(Bronx, Ny)
04/09/2012
★★★★★
This did it for me! I have had a white tongue basically my whole life. Nothing helped. After reading this, I went to a natural foods store and bought the most probiotic-filled probiotic I could find. I checked every label and got one with the most variety of probiotics (I can post the exact label and content if someone needs). It was in the refridgerated section, and came as a powder. I'm not going to lie, it was a lot more money than I felt like spending! You can just take the powder straight, or mix with water or juice. It tastes kind of like graham crackers. After the first day, I didn't see a difference, and was a little discouraged. But after maybe 4 days, while brushing, I realized that my tongue was a beautiful, healthy red-pink! It's been like that ever since. It's so frustrating having a white tongue when you know you're healthy and hygenic. I think it's just caused by a natural imbalance of oral flora, and the probiotic stabilizes the environment. I highly recommend this solution! And thank you to the OP!
(Orlando, Florida)
04/28/2012
★★★★★
After using so many over the counter products and prescribed Rx's, finally I am feeling content.. After using acidophilus for two days I have noticed a great improvement in my tongue. It is worth to mention that I also feel a better taste in my mouth. Am considering taking a daily dose for at least a month and then see if I have a recurrent episode.
(Philadelphia, Pa)
05/24/2012
Yes - the acidophilus is working well for me, too.
One important caveat, however:
The key (for me, at least) is to use the "deep down" version of acidophilus, known as "pearls, " which are coated, so that they are not destroyed during the digestion process (by stomach acids, etc. ). This way, they can really do the work they need to do much deeper down in the "gut" area of your system.
Please note: There are a few different brands of probiotics that have this kind of special protective coating, not just the ones known commercially as "pearls, " though these happen to be the ones I have been using, mainly because they were the ones available at my local store (and also because they do not require refrigeration, so you can travel easily with them). I will probably keep exploring all different brand options among these coated varieties of probiotics to see which ones I ultimately like best.
(Ny)
07/20/2012
Can you please tell me what is the cure? I have white tongue and need help in getting rid of it. Thank you.
(Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia)
07/27/2012
To get rid of candida which is the common cause of bad breath and acne, it is recommended to take oregano oil for two to three weeks. Take a break for two weeks and then take olive leaf extract for two week. Take a break for two weeks and so on. Do that for a period of no longer than eight weeks in total. Olive leaf and oil of oregano which is available on Amazon.com. Candigest is a powerful supplement which digests the cellulose (of which candida is largely composed) and kills the yeast. You are also suggested to take Candigest for a period of 30-60 days.
(Veneta, Or USA)
08/12/2012
To: Maz from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Can you be more specific regarding the amounts to take for your remedy? I have the oregano and olive leaf, but I need to know how much and when (once a day, twice, etc) I am interested to know if this will help. I don't plan to take the candigest, but feel that using nature's own I night be just as successful. miraclecows1(AT)msn.com
(Memphis, Tn)
09/15/2012
@anon from Bronx, Ny- Can you please share the exact name of the product you purchased and used? Many thanks in advance for your response.
(Boston, Ma)
10/09/2012
★★★★★
Fantastic overnight results by using a small amount of probiotic dissolved in a spoonful of water and flooded over the tongue. I've been taking probiotics regularly with no effect, but this method introduces the probiotic strains in mouth, tongue and throat, instead of down in the gut.
The Cure: Brush teeth. Open a high-potency probiotic capsule. Dump a small amount (about 1/4 the contents) into a tablespoon of water and stir to dissolve. Reseal the capsule and swallow it as normal. Now take the tblspoon of dissolved probiotic and let it flood over your tongue and down your throat. Swallow. Go to bed. Observe pink tongue in morning.
I have no idea as yet whether this will have a lasting effect -- but I'll gladly do this daily if needed. This is the first time in a very long while that I have not had a white tongue without vigorous brushing, scraping and gagging... and THAT method was never more than partially successful.
High potency Probiotics are usually found in a refrigerator case in pharmacy or healthfood store (e. g. Wholefoods).
(Washington, Dc)
11/04/2012
★★★★★
Acidophlus (probiotics) works but it has to be the right kind. I tried salt and glycerin which worked only temporarily. I'm also taking oil of oregano, so it might be helping probiotics to remove the white coating...
(New York, Ny)
12/22/2012
★★★★★
Wow!!! This worked instantly. I feel better too. I had a nasty white film on my tongue for weeks. I tried the peroxide for 2 weeks to no avail. I bought some acidophilus for 10 bucks at the drug store and followed the instructions. BOOM Gone! Thanks!
(Pittsburgh, Pa)
04/30/2013
★★★★★
I followed the advice of David from Boston and it is truly working alongside with I began oil pulling twice a day as well as brushing my teeth with baking soda, sea salt and peroxide. The change happened over nite once I used the probiotic exactly how he explains it. THANKS A MILLION, DAVID!!!!!!
(Toledo)
05/10/2013
Thanks to all the responses, I have battled this problem seven years which caused me to isolate myself from people because of the bad smell of the white coating. I am convinced that probiotic tx will work and on my way to buy it now. Will let you know how I'm doing. Maybe my confidence will come back to talk face to face again!!!
(Melbourne,australia)
03/26/2014
After reading all the reply about "acidophilus" I bought one and used it like you mention. It's been 4 days since and my coated-white tongue get worse! What do I do?
(Denver)
03/26/2014
Maybloom: Live active bakers yeast has cured many people. The good yeasts replace the bad yeasts. Yeast over growth is caused by eating high fat high carb. Eat either raw organic high carb low fat or raw grass fed high fat low carb.
(Toledo)
01/04/2017
Can anyone name a brand of acidophilus that can cure a white tongue? Thank you!
(Atlanta)
03/11/2017
What was the brand that you used? Thanks!
Activated Charcoal
★★★★★
(NYC, New York)
05/22/2009
How do you do with charcoal. Can you please tell more detail or procedure how to use.
(England)
07/08/2014
Find these posts really interesting. I have an ongoing issue with stomach which I am waiting to be seen by a consultant for. Either gastritis, ulcer or whatever. But I noticed that when I took some antibiotics my carpet coated tongue disappeared for a few days and then a week later it was worse than ever.
So it must be to do with the balance of the flora. Having read these posts I have brushed the contents of a biotic capsule on my yellow very carpety tongue and am keeping my fingers crossed and wonder if there is a connection between the tongue and how my stomach plays up.
(Virginia)
05/06/2015
A yellow coating on the tongue is usually stomach acid. It sounds like a case of reflux.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
★★★☆☆
WORKED TEMPORARILY
EC: Please check for remedies on the following page:
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/breath.html
(Calgary, Alberta)
09/08/2010
My recipe for a nice pink tongue is as follows:
* Apple Cider Vinegar: Drink 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ACV in a glass of water, preferably 3 times a day. *Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS): 3 drops of MMS plus 15 drops of ACV wait 3 mins add a bit of water and gargle, squish around for 30 to 60 secs and spit out. * Iodine: use Kelp in cooking as a spice - makes my mouth moist and clean. Or, drink a drop of Lugol's solution in a glass of water. * Tongue scraper
(Darien Il)
07/31/2013
Dear Earth Clinic staff, I have the white coating on my tongue and I read a post from someone using it. What is the recipe for Apple cider vinegar, baking soda and lemon? Helene
Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, Sea Salt
★★★★★
Black Seed Oil
★★★★★
I drank ~10ml of black seed oil yesterday by the suggestion of my friend, just for general health purposes, not to target anything. today I saw DRAMATIC improvements in my tongue!!! Almost totally normal! Incredible... I drank another 10 ml today. funny enough, I've been waiting for an online order of pao d'arco tea to come in. I was hoping that would help, but I guess I already found my cure. I'm going to keep taking this stuff and rubbing it everywhere else to see what other magic it can work. just look up the case study of the man who was cured of HIV by taking black seed oil with honey and you too may be inspired by the possibilities of black seed oil.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
http://www.wishsummit.com/toothsummit/dr-victor-zeines-f1f
Best of health and holidays to everyone! Lisa
(Glendale, Ca)
03/17/2013
Thank you SO much for this! And, kudos to the Doctor!! I wish more MDs would follow suit!
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of the Tongue
Yellow means heat is inside. I know these terms seem a bit out there but using the idea of yin and yang is or cold and hot is more sophisticated than trying to figure out a single cause when the body is an orchestra or functions.
So for a white toungue one would suggest Hot or warming food. For example ginger or cinnamon or cayenne. I would also suggests other tonic herbs like ginseng but only if there is not thick coating. A thick coating means excess or too much and so to build that would make it worse. You need to decrease the thickness. This is done by taking herbs that help to clear dampness usually bitter ones or astringent like orange peel for example.
There is a whole study of toungue coating and colour out there that is foundational to chinese diagnosis. Your toungue is a great indicator of health.
So to recap white toungue means cold so get warm and the toungue will change. Literally and with warming food. DO not eat ice cream or drink cold drinks with a cold tongue.
(Belleville, Ont, Canada)
03/22/2010
Hello Kevin, You stated that "Yellow means heat is inside "but didn't say how to treat this. I've only recently come up with a yellowish tongue and would like to get rid of it... any ideas?
(Brookyn, Ny)
11/30/2010
With the orange peel are you suppose to chew it or drink it as hot tea?
(Berkeley, Ca)
11/30/2010
It is dried, and used in soups or teas.
(Adealide, Australia)
03/02/2011
From my research white or yellow or dirty tongue indicates a heavy bacterial issue. Those with this issue usually have it persitently along with bad breath. I have suffered from this all my life. I have just had a deviated septum repair. I was hoping it may relieve my symptoms. But I now have the flu which make the tongue condition worse. Many old remedies dont kill the bacteria. Normal toothpaste also. My conclusion?The sinus's and or nasal cavity in these people are slightly defective. Advances in knowledge may find the problems in the future. I know people who dont practice oral hygiene at all and never have bad breath and always have a nice healthy tongue colour. Im going to try Thera Breath toothpaste and oxyd-8 to complete my research. they show good reviews but I am always sceptical.Cheers
Clove Powder
★★★★★
Every time I have a sore on my tongue due to cold sore or bacterial sore on the tongue, I put on my tongue the powder of Clove. Usually in 2 days the issue is resolved. Hope this will help someone. Thank you
Dietary Suggestions
★★★★★
Digestive Enzymes
★★★★★
I suffer from slow gut motility and constipation as well. I brush with a natural toothpaste. And follow up with a dry mouth rinse that has glycerin. But all these other things - strict diet, nightly senna tea, natural toothpaste, dry mouth rinse - I have been doing for many years and they didn't completely help my white tongue. Even multi-strain expensive probiotics didn't help. Digestive Enzymes are the only thing that has helped - it has changed my life! I've even stopped the expensive probiotics. I think a good diet is also key -but I even splurge now and then...and with the digestive enzymes, my tongue has been ok. Or if I have a flare up it clears up within a day.
When Gut imbalance is the problem - Digestive Enzymes are the solution!
Hope this helps someone! Note: I have never had bad breath, so maybe there are other reasons for white tongue that the digestive enzymes won't help. But for a white coated geographic tongue, they will help!
(New Zealand)
06/02/2019
Can you give more example of the types and dosage of the enzymes?
(Texas)
05/08/2020
★★★★★
Thank you for the suggestions!
Eliminate Dairy
★★★★★
(Spain)
12/06/2016
For years I have had a slight coating on the toungue which remained even after scraping. It was as if the taste buds were a pinkish white rather than pink. Also, I had mild discomfort in different areas of the abdomen for about 5 years. After recording what I was eating in a simple diary for about 4 weeks, I concluded that dairy products, red wine and bananas was causing the stomach discomfort. Upon eliminating these foods for a couple of months, I noticed that my tongue became much cleaner and I no longer have any noticeable abdomen pain. It may seem trivial, but the food diary really worked for me - hope it works for you.