If you look in the mirror and suddenly see that your tongue has turned yellow, it's a bit disconcerting, isn't it? A lot of things come to mind. "Oh, am I sick?" You may think. But don't worry. Most of the time, this condition called Yellow Tongue is not that serious. Also, it is usually temporary. Let's find out more about this.
Why does the tongue really turn yellow?
Simply put, the main reason why our tongue turns yellow is the accumulation of dead skin cells on the tongue. Imagine, there are small hair-like structures on the surface of our tongue. In medical terms, we call these papillae. These dead cells get stuck between these papillae. Then, due to things we eat and drink, like tobacco, this accumulated layer of cells becomes stained yellow. It's like a yellow stain on a white cloth.
In most cases, this condition will go away if you take good care of your oral health, such as brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue. However, very rarely, a yellow tongue can also be a symptom of a medical condition. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this.
What are the main causes of a yellow tongue?
Let's divide these reasons into two main categories. One is the reasons related to normal, everyday habits. The other is the reasons that may be due to a medical condition.
Common and common causes
These are the main things that cause a yellow tongue for most people. There is nothing to worry about, and it will go away once you change your habits.
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Poor oral hygiene | When you don't brush your teeth and clean your tongue properly every day, dead cells and bacteria accumulate on your tongue. These are what give it its yellow appearance. |
| Smoking and tobacco use | The chemicals in tobacco, which is often eaten with cigarettes and chewing gum, cause the cells on the tongue to turn yellow easily. |
| Some foods and drinks | Coffee, tea, foods made with turmeric (like our curries), and foods with artificial coloring can temporarily turn the tongue yellow. |
| Some types of mouthwash | The tongue can also turn yellow when using harsh mouthwashes that contain ingredients like alcohol, menthol, or chlorhexidine. |
| Mouth breathing or dry mouth | When your mouth is dry, saliva production decreases. Saliva is the natural way to clean the bacteria in your mouth. When saliva is low, bacteria can grow and turn your tongue yellow. |
| Black Hairy Tongue | Despite its name, this condition starts with a yellow tongue. The papillae, which are hair-like structures on the tongue, become longer than normal, and bacteria and dead cells get trapped between them. This is not a dangerous condition. |
Conditions to watch out for
Very rarely, a yellow tongue can be a symptom of a disease. In such cases, it may appear along with other symptoms.
- Jaundice: This is the most important and concerning condition . This condition occurs when the yellow chemical bilirubin in the blood increases due to a problem with our liver. Not only the tongue, but also the whites of the eyes and the sputum turn yellow. This can be a sign of liver damage, so you should seek medical advice immediately.
- Gastritis: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach can sometimes cause a yellow coating on the tongue. This is especially seen in gastritis caused by the bacteria `(Helicobacter pylori)`.
- Autoimmune diseases: People with diseases that weaken the body's immune system are more likely to have bacteria growing in their mouths, which can cause the tongue to change color.
- Psoriasis: This is a skin disease that causes scaly patches on the skin. Very rarely, this disease can also cause yellow patches on the surface of the tongue.
The most important thing is, if your eyes and sputum are yellow in addition to your tongue, don't ignore it. It could be a liver problem, so see a doctor right away.
Are there other symptoms that accompany a yellow tongue?
Most of the time, there are no major symptoms other than a change in tongue color. However, some people may experience the following:
- Bad breath (Halitosis)
- Feeling a bad taste in the mouth
- A rough or blister-like feeling on the tongue
- Feeling like a burning sensation on the tongue
- Taste changes
- Dry mouth
- Fever, sore throat (if associated with an infection)
What can we do about this? How can we make this better?
The best and simplest treatment for this is to maintain proper oral hygiene.
1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day: Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and a soft toothbrush.
2. Most importantly - clean your tongue: While brushing your teeth, gently scrape the surface of your tongue with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper that you can buy at the pharmacy. This will remove dead cells and bacteria that have accumulated on the surface of your tongue.
3. Floss daily: Remove food particles stuck between your teeth.
4. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash: Rinsing your mouth about twice a day can help control bacteria.
5. Drink plenty of water: Drinking water throughout the day helps prevent dry mouth and flushes out bacteria in the mouth.
6. Avoid smoking: If you are a smoker, trying to quit will go a long way in restoring your tongue color.
Usually, if you do these things properly, the yellow color of the tongue will disappear within a few weeks.
When should we see a doctor?
If the yellowness of your tongue does not diminish even after doing the simple things mentioned above, or if you have any of the symptoms below, it is definitely best to see a doctor for advice.
| When to seek immediate medical advice | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of Jaundice | Besides your tongueIf the whites of the eyes and the cornea turn yellow, this could be a sign of a serious condition. |
| The condition is not improving. | If your tongue still has a yellow color after a few weeks, even after taking good care of your oral hygiene and quitting smoking. |
| Worsening of symptoms | If the color of the tongue becomes a darker yellow or if other symptoms (such as pain, inflammation) increase. |
| Tongue pain or discomfort | If there is pain in the tongue or mouth along with yellowing. |
| Looks like "hair" | If the surface of the tongue looks like hair (as in the case of Black Hairy Tongue). |
When you go to the doctor, he will examine your mouth and, if necessary, may refer you for other tests to find the cause.
Take-Home Message
- Most of the time, a yellow tongue is not serious. The main cause is poor oral hygiene and certain lifestyle habits.
- This condition can be almost completely cured by brushing your teeth thoroughly every day and especially cleaning your tongue.
- If your tongue turns yellow along with your eyes and sputum, it could be a sign of jaundice. If this happens, see a doctor immediately without delay.
- If the yellowness of the tongue does not diminish after about a month, despite following good habits, it is wise to see a doctor to find out exactly what the cause is.
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