18+ Proven Home Remedies For White Furry Tongue

Did you see a white or yellow coating on your tongue while brushing? Did you experience bad breath from the past few weeks? Are you also feeling dehydrated often? These are the symptoms of a furry tongue.

The Furry tongue is also referred to as white or coated tongue. You may not worry about the condition. But in rare cases, this condition may turn into an infection or an early stage of cancer.

No one would want to see their tongue white or yellow in color, this is one kind of oral infection. Which is not so dangerous, it can get cured by following some home remedies.

In this article, we will let you know about some effective home remedies for the furry tongue, white or coated tongue, and how to prevent it.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Furry Tongue

It is not necessary to follow antibiotic medication all the time, because it is dangerous when taken in long run. You can get rid of this furry tongue, by following some effective home remedies at home.

As there are many natural treatments to prevent this furry tongue. By maintaining good personal and oral hygiene.

Below are some tested remedies without any side effects to get you relief from this condition.

1. Salt

Salt is one of the best remedies to treat white coated tongue. Salt has the anti-bacterial properties. It has the ability to kill the bacteria that causes the white tongue.Processed table salt is different from sea salt. It acts as a natural scraper, due to its hard texture.

How To Use It?

• Take one tablespoon of salt and mix it in warm water. Gargle this water on a regular basis and spit it out. Repeat the same process 3-4 time a day, until you find some relief from the white tongue.
• Put some salt on your tongue, and gently use the salt as a scrub on your entire tongue. This will give you some relief gradually.

2. Probiotics

probiotics are naturally full of remedies. These are full of healthy bacteria, which helps in maintaining the balance in your gut.

Studies also declared that probiotics are good for oral health, also helpful for mouth and tongue. Thus they can help you in preventing tongue inflammation and bacterial growth.

How To Use It?

• Take one probiotic supplement, and mix the supplement in warm water. Once you are done with brushing, use this water as the mouthwash. Rinse it well with cold water later.
• Make yogurt as your daily diet.
• Also, there are probiotic supplements available in the market, you can take 3 supplements a day.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It has the ability to kill pathogens in the mouth which is the main reason for bad breath.

It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which are the main properties to heal infections, wound, and skin irritations.

How To Use It?

• Take a spoon full of aloe vera juice, gargle around the mouth and spit it out. Repeat the process, it will remove the white coat on the tongue gradually.
• You can also have 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice, twice a day.

4. Garlic

One of the active compound present in garlic is allicin, which has the same effect as fluconazole (this is used to prevent and treat candidiasis fungal infection).

How To Use It?

• To get rid of this furry/white coated tongue, take one clove of raw garlic every day in the morning on a daily basis. Repeat the same process every day.
• You will also find garlic supplements in the market outside, have the supplements as prescribed.

5. Apples And Carrots

By nature, both apple and carrot are crunchy foods which contain a lot of water. Which is good for healthy teeth.Apples and carrots are natural neutralizers of bacteria which make them naturally abrasive.

How To Use It?

• An apple a day keep the doctor away.
• Have one apple and one carrot per day.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda has the power to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the tongue which causes the white tongue. Thus, maintains the stable pH level in the mouth.

How To Use It?

• Take a ½ spoon of baking soda and mix it in a glass of water. Use this solution as a mouthwash, and repeat twice a day.
• Daily after your brush, take half spoon of baking soda, mix it with lemon juice and make a paste. Use this paste daily as a scraper on your tongue, and gently rub it. Repeat the same process every day after your brush.

7. Water

Generally, water helps you to clean the mouth, where drinking a lot of water will remove leftover debris from the mouth.

How To Use It?

• Drink a lot of water, which will prevent bacterial growth.
• You can also start drinking aloe vera water or lemon water for best results.

8. Turmeric

Another excellent remedy for the white/furry tongue is turmeric. Turmeric has the anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties which help you kill the bacteria that caused the white tongue.

How To Use It?

• Mix ½ tablespoon of turmeric in half glass of water. Use this water as a mouthwash. Repeat this process once or twice per day.
• Make a paste of lemon and turmeric, apply this on the tongue and use this as a scrub. Later rinse your mouth with warm water. Do this daily morning, until your white coat reduces gradually.

9. Oil Pulling

Coconut oil is one of the best oil to use for oil pulling. It has that ability to reduce harmful bacteria naturally in the mouth.This oil helps to remove the debris and all the toxins from your mouth.

How To Use It?

• You can also use olive or sesame oil for oil pulling, but coconut oil is one of the best oil because it has the ability to absorb and will kill the candida bacteria.
• Before brushing your teeth, take 2-3 spoons of coconut oil and start swishing it around the mouth. Later spit the oil and rinse with warm water.
• And brush our teeth.

10. Vegetable Glycerine

This is one of the best remedies for white coated tongue which is readily available in closest stores. It is most effective for dry mouth.This will show the result gradually.

How To Use It?

• Apply this glycerine on your tongue, gently start brushing your tongue. Wash your mouth with warm water after this process.
• Do this on a regular basis, until you feel your white coat reduced.

11. Hydrogen Peroxide

Firstly, you should not swallow this hydrogen peroxide.Coming to the properties of hydrogen peroxide, it has the anti-bacterial property that will kill the bacteria which cause white tongue.The recommended dose for usage is 3 percent. It is a good remedy for oral health.

How To Use It?

• Dip your toothbrush, then scrape that on your tongue with a mixture of 1 percent HP and 2 percent of water.
• Later wash your mouth thoroughly with warm water.
• This procedure is a 3-day process. Don’t overdo this more than 3 days.

12. Colloidal Silver

This has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Thus, it is used to fight against infections present in the mouth.The yeast infection caused by bacteria can be killed by this colloidal silver. Colloidal silver is safe for oral health.

How To Use It?

• Make a dilution proportion of colloidal silver and water (in equal amount). Use this as a mouthwash.
• Later spit this and wash your mouth with warm water.
• Follow the process for a 3-4 time a day, until you find relief in the furry tongue.

13. Neem

Neem holds anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The properties of neem can kill the bacteria and yeast infections in your mouth which causes a white coated tongue.The main property of neem is, it can purify blood and remove toxins from your body.

How To Use It?

• Take few leaves of neem, add them to three cups of water. Let it boil, until it reduces to half. Use that water as mouthwash every morning after your brush.
• Repeat the same process every day, until the problem gets reduced.

14. Yogurt

Yogurt contains healthy bacteria. These bacteria help in killing and controlling the bacterial and fungal infection in your mouth.

How To Use It?

• Have a cup of yogurt every day as your regular diet.

15. Essential Oils – Peppermint Oil

It holds natural anti-bacterial properties. It also helps you in reducing white coat on your tongue.

How To Use It?

• While applying the paste to your brush, add one drop of peppermint oil to it.
• You can also use this as a scrub for your tongue. Make sure you do this process for at least 5-10 minutes.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water, after you complete the process.

16. Oregano Oil

It is one of the tested remedies for the furry tongue. This oil has many antibiotic properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.

How To Use It?

• Put this oil directly on your tongue, then brush the tongue with your brush gently.
• Repeat the process, until you see the change in your tongue.

17. Pau Dacron Tea

This tea has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the white tongue can be reduced gradually, by drinking this tea.This tea has the ability to kill candida infection in your mouth.

How To Get It?

• Prepare Tea with this Pau Darco bark, instead of milk use water.
• Mix this bark and water in 2:4 proportion and let it boil for 20 mins.
• Filter and drink this tea 4-5 times a day.

18. Some Other Remedies Include

• Always brush your tongue along with your teeth, maintain the good oral environment.
• Reduce alcohol and also stop tobacco consumption which is the reason for tongue discolor.
• Make a habit of having vegetables and fruits in your daily diet like carrot, apple, and guavas.
• After your meal, gargle your mouth with warm or cold water. So, that there will be no food debris left-out on your tongue or in between your teeth.
• You can also remove a white coat with the help of a scraper.

Causes Of Furry Tongue (White Coated Tongue)

The main cause of the furry or white coated tongue is bacteria. That may not be the only reason. It is also caused by, overgrowth of the filament-like things on your tongue called papillae. (sense organs on the tongue).

This furry tongue is also caused when some food particles left out or by bacteria or even by the dead cells if got struck between the papillae.

This furry tongue is also referred to as

• White or coated tongue
• Hairy tongue

White Or Coated Tongue

The reason for white or coated tongue is a poor oral environment. This particular condition can be harmless. Due to lack of oral hygiene, you get this furry tongue also called white or coated tongue.

The white coated tongue is caused by enlarged papillae. When these papillae get in contact with yeast or bacteria it forms furry, white coated tongue.

It is also caused by bacteria, dead cells, and debris that get accumulated and form the white coat on the tongue. There are some conditions where this white coated tongue causes harmful and serious conditions.

Harmful Causes Of White Coated Tongue

1. Oral Lichen Planus

This is one kind of inflammatory condition caused by the weak immune system. Which causes white patches on tongue, mouth and also leads to painful gums and cheeks. This may appear as white patches, swollen tissues or as open sores.

2. Leukoplakia

This condition mainly caused by consumption of alcohol and tobacco. And will find thick white patches on tongue, mouth and on gums. This condition may be harmless but can develop into oral cancer in very rare cases

3. Oral Thrush

The white coated tongue caused by fungal infection (called candida yeast).You may get affected with oral thrush, if you are suffering from diabetes or if you have a weak immune system.

4. Syphilis

This is a sexually transmitted infection, caused by bacteria. This needs a medical diagnose. Which last for 10 days to 3 weeks.

Tongue cancer, mouth cancer, HIV/AIDS also causes furry, white or coated tongue.

Hairy Tongue

In this condition, the tongue looks hairy. Basically, we have papillae called filiform papillae which are scattered around the tips and sides of the tongue.

These Filiform papillae are projections on the tongue. Their usual length is 1 millimeter. When you get affected with hairy tongue, they grow up to 18 millimeters. Thus the food debris, bacteria get stuck in that papillae and look like hair.

Other causes include:

1. Also caused by regular consumption of coffee and tea.
2. Dipping and chewing of tobacco.
3. Usage of mouthwash that contains, oxidizing ingredients like peroxide.
4. Also, mouthwash which contains astringent ingredients like menthol.
5. Taking soft and liquid food as diet.
6. Heavy consumption of sugary food.
7. Dehydration or dry mouth.
8. Not maintaining oral hygiene.
9. If you have iron or B-vitamin deficiency.
10. Have diabetes, and consume antibiotics.
11. If you have a weak immune system.
12. Irritation due to dental instruments or sharp edges of the teeth.
13. Due to radiation therapy to your neck and head.
14. Accumulation of mucus in the area of throat and nose, which is also called as post-nasal issues like sinusitis, allergies and acid reflux.

Symptoms Of Furry Tongue

The furry tongue is also called white or coated tongue. It can be due to dehydration or by the bacterial infection. Coming to the hairy tongue, it is painless and rarely show you some symptoms.

The following are some of the symptoms for furry/white coated or hairy tongue

1. Burning or stinging sensation of the tongue, due to overgrowth of papillae.
2. Tickling sensation on the roof of the mouth.
3. Change in food taste or metallic taste while eating in your mouth.
4. Dehydration and dryness of the mouth.
5. Bad breath.
6. Feels pain while chewing and swallowing food.
7. Swollen tongue and swollen mouth.
8. Tongue roughness and rashes or blisters near the mouth.

How To Prevent Furry Tongue?

We are aware that, preventing is better than cure. Preventing a white tongue is very easy by following some home remedies.

Below are some of the precautions you should definitely follow to maintain a good oral condition.

1. Make sure to have a regular dental check-up and mouth cleaning.
2. Regularly scrape your tongue.
3. Avoid all tobacco products and reduce the consumption of alcohol.
4. Should gargle your mouth regularly after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also if you had any snack in between.
5. Avoid artificially sweetened food, dairy products, and sugary substances, because they cause a white layer on your tongue.
6. Maintain a healthy diet. By adding some fruits and vegetables in your diet.
7. Start using the antiseptic mouthwash, that helps kill bacteria formation.

When To See A Doctor?

White or coated tongue is harmless and painless. Basically, it lasts for 2-3 weeks. If that doesn’t go after taking all the required precautions. You may start taking the doctor appointment.

Symptoms of fear about furry, white or coated and hairy tongue:

1. You feel the pain and burning sensation of your tongue.
2. Also may find severe sores inside your mouth.
3. You may find difficulty in chewing, talking and swallowing food.
4. If the patches don’t go away even after two weeks.

If you follow good oral hygiene, then hairy tongue can be treated by following precautions at home.

Symptoms to fear for hairy tongue:

1. If you don’t feel comfortable with the hairy appearance on the tongue.
2. This particular condition is temporary and last for 2 weeks. If you find this even after the second week then it is the time to consult the doctor.

FAQs

Q: What Is The Difference Between Thrush And A Coated tongue?

A: When defining thrush, it is an infection caused by fungi called candida (also called yeast). It is mostly seen in the mouth.

In children, this particular candida fungus is found in diaper rash areas. Which is seen on the genitals and inner thighs. But oral thrush is found in mouth and throat. Adults and children will get affected by this infection often.

The most observed symptoms of thrush include:

White patches found in the entire mouth, the surface of the tongue, which will spread into the throat.Whereas the white coated tongue happens due to bacteria. It is not a harmful infection. By taking some precautions and maintaining good personal oral hygiene, you can overcome this situation.

The most observed symptom of white coated tongue includes:

When compared to oral thrush, this white coating is thin and transparent.

Final Talk

When you find a white or yellow coating on your tongue, it may be because of the food debris, bacteria or because of the dead skin cells that struck between the papillae.

This condition may be harmless and painless. It doesn’t last more than 2 weeks if you find it untreated even after 2 weeks then it is the indication of a serious infection.

When coming to the hairy tongue, it may occur at any age because of the poor oral hygiene. It also occurs due to dehydration. Some other causes include smoking, alcohol, and usage of mouthwash.

But you have many effective and tested home remedies, that will help you reduce this problem. You can try every home remedy to cure this white coated or hairy tongue.

Instead of antibiotics, try following the remedies mentioned as this is a temporary condition and can be prevented beforehand.