Is your tongue yellow too? (Yellow Tongue) Let's talk about this!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your tongue is a little yellow? Maybe you've noticed this when you brush your teeth in the morning, or when you rinse your mouth after a meal. You might be a little worried when you see it, "Why is my tongue yellow?" But is this just a coincidence, or is it something we should be concerned about? Today, we'll talk about this yellowing of the tongue, which is medically known as (Yellow Tongue) .

What does it mean when the tongue turns yellow? Why does this happen?

Simply put, yellow tongue is when the top of your tongue is covered in a yellow color. In most cases, this is not dangerous and is a temporary condition that will get better in a few days.

Imagine, there are tiny hair-like bumps on our tongue called papillae . These are what help us taste. Sometimes, dead skin cells can get stuck on these papillae. These stuck cells can accumulate and become stained by things we eat and drink (for example, foods with a lot of turmeric, coffee, tea) or by things like tobacco. That's when the tongue looks yellow.

Most people can completely cure this condition with self-care and a little extra attention to oral health, so it's nothing to worry about.

Who is more likely to develop this 'yellow tongue'?

Actually, anyone can develop this condition (Yellow Tongue). However, some people are more likely to develop it.

• People who use tobacco products: This risk is higher for people who smoke cigarettes, chew betel nuts, and chew tobacco.
• People who use certain medications: If you are constantly taking medication for a certain illness, your tongue may turn yellow as a side effect of that medication.

What are the main reasons for this? Let's take a deeper look!

There are a number of reasons why a tongue may turn yellow. As we discussed earlier, the main cause is a buildup of dead skin cells on the tongue. However, in rare cases, it can also be a sign of an underlying health problem.

Commonly seen causes

• Poor oral hygiene: This is the most common cause. Things like not brushing your teeth properly and not cleaning your tongue can cause dead cells, food particles, and bacteria to accumulate on your tongue.
• Think about it, sometimes we go to bed without brushing our teeth at night, or we just pretend to brush them in a hurry in the morning. That's when these problems are more likely to occur.
• Smoking and chewing tobacco: The chemicals in tobacco can discolor the tongue. Smoking also reduces saliva production, making the mouth dry and more susceptible to bacterial growth.
• Overgrowth of bacteria on the tongue: Bacteria are naturally present in our mouths. However, when oral hygiene is poor, these bacteria can overgrow and the products they produce can also cause the tongue to turn yellow.
• Certain foods and drinks: Foods high in spices like turmeric and curry, coffee, tea, and some fruit drinks can also temporarily turn your tongue yellow.
• Some mouthwashes: The chemicals contained in some mouthwashes (e.g. Chlorhexidine, Alcohol, Menthol) can cause the tongue to turn yellow with continued use.
• Mouth breathing or dry mouth: For those who are used to breathing through their mouth instead of their nose, or if their mouth is constantly dry for some other reason, that can also be a reason for the tongue to turn yellow. This is because saliva is what keeps the inside of the mouth moist and clean.

The condition known as 'Black Hairy Tongue'

Although this may sound a bit strange, one of the causes of the condition called (Yellow Tongue) is (Black Hairy Tongue) . In this case, the protein (Keratin) found in our skin, nails, and hair accumulates excessively on the tongue (Papillae). Then, those (Papillae) become a little long and look like hair. These appear yellow at first, and then turn brown or black. This is also mainly affected by poor oral hygiene, smoking, certain medications, and drinking too much coffee/tea.

Some diseases can also cause this!

Although most of the time it is not dangerous, in some cases a yellow tongue can be a symptom of a medical condition.

• Autoimmune Diseases: People with these diseases have a weakened immune system that fights disease in their bodies. Therefore, they are more likely to develop things like mouth infections and tongue changes.
• Gastritis: Inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis) can also cause a yellow tongue. This symptom can be seen especially if the gastritis is caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori .
• Psoriasis: This is a skin disease that causes scaly, flaky skin . Rarely, people with psoriasis may develop yellow or white patches on their tongues.
• Jaundice: This is something that you should definitely be concerned about . Jaundice is when a yellow chemical called Bilirubin accumulates in our blood. This Bilirubin is produced in the liver. If there is any problem, damage, or lack of function in the liver, Bilirubin does not get removed from the body properly and accumulates in the blood. Then the whites of the eyes, skin, and tongue turn yellow. This can be a sign of liver disease, so you should seek medical advice immediately.

What other symptoms can you experience with a yellow tongue?

Most of the time, there are no major symptoms other than a change in tongue color. However, some people may experience these symptoms along with:

• Bad breath (Halitosis)
• A bad taste in the mouth (like a metallic taste)
• The appearance of bumps or blisters on the tongue
• Feeling a burning or sore sensation in the tongue
• Taste Distortions (loss of taste in food)
• Dry Mouth
• White patches on mucous membranes, such as inside the mouth and on the inside of the cheeks (these may be fungal infections)
• Fever (especially if associated with an infection)
• Sore throat
• Mouth pain

How do you accurately diagnose this 'yellow tongue' condition?

Usually, a doctor or dentist will diagnose this condition by examining your mouth. Sometimes, the dentist may notice this when we go for a dental checkup. He or she will ask you about your habits (eating, drinking, smoking, how you clean your mouth), the medications you take, and whether you have any other medical conditions.

How do I get rid of this yellow color?

The best news is that in most cases, this condition (Yellow Tongue) disappears completely once good oral hygiene habits are established .

• Gently remove the bacteria and dead skin cells from your tongue with your toothbrush or a ``Tongue Scraper'' (a tongue cleaning device - available at pharmacies).
• Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day.
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

Can't we prevent this 'yellow tongue' from occurring?

Absolutely! Good oral hygiene habits are the best solution and prevention.

• Brush your teeth thoroughly two to three times a day (morning and night, and after lunch if possible) with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste containing fluoride .
• Use dental floss or interproximal brushes (small brushes that fit into the gaps between your teeth) at least once a day to remove food particles stuck between your teeth.
• Clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Gently scrape your tongue with the back of your toothbrush (some toothbrushes have a special part for cleaning the tongue) or with a tongue scraper.
• Rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash at least twice a day. However, using the same mouthwash continuously can sometimes cause your tongue to change color, so ask your dentist about it.
• Visit your dentist regularly (at least every 6 months, or as often as your dentist recommends) to have your teeth checked and cleaned.
• If you smoke, try to quit. Talk to your doctor if you need help with this. Quitting smoking not only helps to get rid of the yellow tongue, but also has many other health benefits.
• Drink plenty of water. This will help reduce dry mouth.

Also, if you think your tongue is yellow due to an illness or medication you are taking, talk to your doctor about it and discuss ways to reduce the risk. Never stop taking medication without consulting a doctor.

What will happen to these 'yellow tongue' people in the future? (Outlook)

In most cases, Yellow Tongue is a harmless condition and usually gets better within a few days with good oral hygiene practices.

However, if your tongue is yellow as a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as jaundice, you should definitely see a doctor immediately and seek treatment.

When should we see a doctor about this?

In such a case, you should definitely see a doctor:

• If there are symptoms of `(Jaundice)`: That is, in addition to the tongue turning yellow, the whites of the eyes turn yellow, and the stool looks yellow.
• If the yellow color of the tongue does not diminish after two to three weeks despite making lifestyle changes (such as brushing your teeth well and quitting smoking).
• If the symptoms are getting worse for no apparent reason.
• If you experience symptoms like ``Black Hairy Tongue'' (hairy, hairy-like things appear on the tongue).
• If there is persistent pain or inflammation in the mouth or tongue.

What questions can you ask the doctor?

If you have Yellow Tongue, it's a good idea to ask these questions when you see your doctor:

• "Doctor, why is my tongue yellow?"
• "Is this yellow tongue due to not cleaning your mouth properly, or is there some other underlying cause?"
• "What changes can I make to reduce the chance of this happening again in the future?"
• "Could this tongue discoloration be a sign of some underlying disease?"
• "Will I need to have any other tests (like blood tests)?"
• "Do I need any treatment for this?"

So, what did we learn from this story? (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so I think you now have a good idea about the yellow tongue we talked about today.

Simply put, a yellow tongue is often caused by a buildup of dead skin cells on the tongue. While this can be a bit disconcerting, it is usually not dangerous. This condition usually goes away once you develop good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth twice a day and cleaning your tongue.

However, if you have cleaned your mouth thoroughly and given up bad habits like smoking, but your tongue still has a yellow color, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms like jaundice, you should definitely see a doctor. He or she can then find out exactly why your tongue is yellow and prescribe appropriate treatment if necessary. So, don't panic, take care of this!

` Yellow Tongue, Oral Hygiene, Jaundice, Bacteria, Smoking, Tongue Cleaning