Treatment
For your information! In certain cases, treatment may differ radically (based on the root cause of the appearance of white plaque).
So, depending on the underlying pathology, the patient is prescribed the following treatment:
- In case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract the diet is , excluding all harmful foods from the diet. First of all, fatty meat, fried foods, fast food. This also includes sour cream, butter, alcohol and sweet carbonated drinks. Prescribe medications appropriate to the current disease. The treatment is carried out by a gastroenterologist.
- For influenza and ARVI, antipyretics (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc.) and drugs for topical use are prescribed Among them, nasal drops - Naphthyzin, Xylometazoline, Otrivin, etc.; tablets and lozenges for resorption with anti-inflammatory action - Doctor Mom, Strepsils, etc.
- In case of fungal infection of the oral cavity , the patient is prescribed antifungal drugs. Among them: Rumicosis, Fungicidin, Diflucan, Nystatin, etc.
- If you have a sore throat and other throat diseases , drugs such as Faringosept, Ingalipt, Neo-angin, Septolete , etc. are recommended. Antiseptics (Miramistin and Chlorhexidine), Furacilin solution (1 tablet per glass of warm water) are prescribed as rinses. You can use a soda-salt solution (1 teaspoon of each per glass of warm water). Decoctions of chamomile, sage, and calendula are also suitable (1 tablespoon of raw material per glass of boiling water).
- For bacterial infections , oral antibiotics are indicated (Sumamed, Amoxiclav, Cephalexin, Azitrox, etc.). In this case, it is necessary to complete the full course of treatment. Even if the symptoms go away a few days after starting therapy.
- For glossitis , first of all, it is necessary to exclude hot and spicy foods from the diet. Remove from the diet too salty, with the addition of red or black pepper, garlic, onion, mustard, various sauces, etc. And it is important to rinse your mouth with Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, Furacilin, herbal infusions, etc. .
- In case of hormonal disorders , treatment is carried out by an endocrinologist. The course of treatment and dosage of certain medications is prescribed by the doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable, because without knowing the true cause of plaque, therapy will be meaningless and can only worsen the situation.
Norm and pathology
Language is a kind of mirror of the functioning of the body. When it is clean, pink, with visible taste buds, the person is healthy and most likely does not suffer from bad habits. But even a loose white coating, through which the surface of the tongue is visible, is considered as a variant of the norm. It can change shade depending on the time of year: in summer it can be more intense due to hot weather, in winter it becomes white-yellow, in autumn it becomes almost transparent. In addition, a yellow coating on the tongue in the morning appears in heavy smokers and those who drink too much coffee.
However, a change in the color of the tongue may be a consequence of malfunctions in the internal organs, mainly the liver, kidneys, stomach, pancreas and gall bladder. If the plaque has become dense, thick, bright yellow or brownish-yellow, and there is also bad breath, you should consult a doctor and identify the cause of the problem.
Attention!
Typically, “safe” soft deposits come off easily and, if brushed well, will not reappear. But if the plaque returns, we are dealing with pathology.
Possible reasons
Possible causes of the appearance of white plaque in combination with a sore throat include the following factors:
Minor injuries and any other damage to the tongue
For example, a person accidentally cuts his tongue with a fork or toothpick, and pathogenic bacteria penetrate through the damaged tissue, causing inflammation.
Long-term use of any medications
If a person has been taking antibiotics, steroids or other drugs for a long time , such symptoms may appear.
Hormonal disorders in the body
In women, this can happen during menopause.
Associated symptoms in this case: burning and dry mouth, increased sweating.
Gastrointestinal pathologies
Stay up to date! This can be gastritis with low or high acidity, stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis or enterocolitis, etc.
Diseases of the digestive tract are usually accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, and heartburn.
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Associated symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen (on the right side), dry mouth, high fever.
Infectious diseases
Among them are dysentery, scarlet fever, diphtheria, immunodeficiency virus and others.
Infections, as a rule, are not limited to just plaque and sore throat.
- White plaque on tonsils in adults: causes, methods of treatment
Usually accompanied by the following symptoms: body temperature above 38-39 degrees, muscle pain and aches, skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting.
Diseases of the throat and oral cavity
Keep in mind! As a rule, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, stomatitis are characterized by such symptoms.
This may increase body temperature (in some cases) and cause weakness in the body . There may also be problems with swallowing food, burning and dry mouth, hoarseness in the voice, etc.
Viral infections
This is the flu, ARVI .
Associated symptoms: high fever, headache, cough, runny nose, body aches.
Oral candidiasis
This is usually a fungal infection of the mouth.
The disease most often occurs in young children and is accompanied by severe pain, burning and dry mouth.
Note! In this case, a white, cheesy coating is observed not only on the tongue, but also on the lips and the inside of the cheeks.
Glossitis
This is an inflammation of the tongue caused by injury or exposure to pathogenic microorganisms.
Oral leukoplakia
A disease of the mucous membrane of non-infectious etiology, in which white thickenings form on the gums, tongue and inner surface of the cheeks .
According to Ayurveda, the tongue is divided into several parts, each of which is responsible for a particular organ.
- White plaque in the throat in a child or adult - causes of appearance, means of treatment
Therefore, plaque on the front of the tongue indicates problems with the heart and liver, and near the root - intestinal pathologies.
If deposits are in the central part, they indicate a dysfunction of the spleen, stomach and pancreas.
It is worth noting! Formations in the lateral part (both on the left and on the right side) indicate problems with the kidneys.
What can cause pathological plaque?
The main reason is a malfunction of the internal organs. However, there are two other possibilities: smoking and improper oral hygiene. For active smokers, a yellowish coating is a constant companion, which may not indicate anything bad about health other than the presence of a bad habit. If you don't brush your mouth properly, your tongue will be completely ignored. It is wrong to brush your teeth alone. Bacteria accumulate on the surface of the tongue; they also need to be removed. To clean the tongue, many toothbrush manufacturers make a special brush on the other side. There are also scrapers for the surface of the tongue.
If a person does not smoke and maintains proper hygiene, but there is still plaque, then this may be an indicator of the following diseases:
- Diseases of the digestive system (the most common cause) are ulcers, gastritis, diseases of the gallbladder, pancreas, and liver. Usually in such cases the plaque is accompanied by a persistent unpleasant odor that does not go away even after cleaning.
- Diseases of the respiratory system - tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma.
- Infectious diseases - influenza, sore throat, ARVI, acute respiratory infections.
- Reduced immunity.
- Diseases of teeth and gums.
- Changes in acid-base balance due to medications.
Diagnostics
After a visual examination of the oral cavity and analysis of the patient’s complaints, the patient is sent for a general blood test and a mouth smear for bacterial culture (bacteriological culture).
Next, based on the results of the studies, the patient is referred to the appropriate specialist.
It depends on the underlying disease and then treatment is prescribed.
But if gastrointestinal diseases or hormonal disorders are suspected, are prescribed by appropriate specialists.
In what case should you consult a doctor and undergo an examination?
The following signs are reasons to consult a doctor:
- The presence of a dense, cheesy plaque , which is not removed when brushing the teeth and mouth or quickly appears again.
- Edema and swelling of the tongue.
- Bad breath .
- Pain and burning in the abdomen , eating disorders.
- Presence of small ulcers in the mouth .
- Rash on the face and body.
- Impaired taste sensitivity.
- Dryness and burning in the mouth.
- High body temperature.
- Constant weakness and lack of energy.
Remember! All of the above symptoms should be a cause for concern and immediate consultation with a doctor (ENT specialist, therapist, dentist or gastroenterologist).
When should you see a doctor if you have a white coating on your tongue?
White coating on the tongue is a symptom, not a disease, so it is necessary to find out the cause of plaque formation from a specialist (especially if it is accompanied by discomfort, pain and burning in the mouth, the plaque persists for more than several weeks, ulcers form, chewing and swallowing are difficult), and undergo diagnostics and treatment of the disease causing such symptom. Depending on the problem, the doctor will prescribe antifungal drugs, local glucocorticosteroid therapy, antibiotic therapy and other treatment methods.
Often, a white coating on the tongue goes away on its own (for example, caused by ARVI) within a few weeks. Don’t forget to take proper care of your oral cavity: brush your teeth regularly with a soft-bristled brush, use a special scraper on your toothbrush to clean your tongue, floss, mouthwash, drink plenty of water, try to eat healthy and balanced, give up bad habits, eat regularly Visit your dentist for preventive examinations (at least once every six months) and treatment.
Associated symptoms
White coating on the tongue is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- burning and dry mouth;
- increased thirst;
- increased body temperature;
- heartburn and belching;
- bad breath;
- muscle weakness and causeless fatigue;
- severe sore throat, aggravated by eating;
- craving for sweets (one of the signs of candidiasis);
- irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhea, pain, etc.) and bloating.
You should know! At the same time, some of the accompanying symptoms may be absent in certain cases (depending on the underlying disease - the root cause of the appearance of white plaque).
- White plaque in the throat: in children and adults. Causes and treatment
Causes of white plaque on the tongue
The reasons that cause a white coating on the tongue include:
- poor oral hygiene;
- medications (for example, long-term use of antibiotics);
- smoking;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- viral infections;
- diseases of the oral cavity (oral candidiasis (thrush), leukoplakia, lichen planus, geographic tongue (desquamative glossitis));
- chronic diseases (hypothyroidism, diabetes, syphilis);
- immunodeficiency conditions (HIV/AIDS);
- heat;
- improper use of an inhaler in the treatment of asthma, COPD;
- mechanical injuries to the oral mucosa caused by sharp edges of the teeth when damaged by caries or chips, dentures, piercings in the mouth;
- burns of the oral mucosa caused by too hot food or liquid;
- chemical injuries to the oral cavity;
- xerostomia (dry mouth);
- breathing through the mouth;
- a diet containing soft and pureed food, absence of coarse fibers in food;
- oral cancer, tongue cancer;
- radiation therapy of malignant neoplasms of the maxillofacial region.
