Yellow Tongue: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Causes of Yellow Tongue

Oral Hygiene Products with Oxidizing Agents

Some oral hygiene products, including mouthwashes, rinses, and toothpaste, contain chemical compounds or particles that can cause dry mouth, irritate pores and skin cells on the tongue, or cause them to discolor.

Common compounds known to cause yellow tongue discoloration include:

• Peroxides
• Witch Hazel
• Menthol
• Alcohol
• Thymol
• Eucalyptus

Dry Mouth or Mouth Breathing

A dry mouth is a lack of enough saliva in the mouth. Saliva removes bacteria from the mouth, which helps prevent cavities. Saliva naturally helps remove excess bacteria and particles from the surface of the tongue. Dehydration reduces saliva production, so bacteria and food particles remain close to cells, increasing the risk of bacterial growth.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth and tongue helps reduce bacteria and the risk of a yellow tongue. Inadequate brushing can lead to a buildup of dead cells and bacteria on the tongue, which may cause yellowing. Food, tobacco, and other substances can also stain the tongue. While bad breath isn't a direct cause, poor oral hygiene and bacterial growth can contribute to both. Improving oral care and addressing health issues can help manage both conditions.

Black Hairy Tongue

Black hairy tongue is a fairly standard, non-cancerous condition in which bacteria or fungi cause an enlarged, elongated, hair-like mat to appear on the surface of the tongue. Although the tongue usually appears black, it can also turn yellow, blue, or green. This harmless condition occurs when the small bumps called papillae that line the tip and sides of the tongue become enlarged.

Mouthwashes that Contain Oxidizing Agents

• Using a mouthwash that contains peroxide, witch hazel, or menthol can change the color of your tongue.
• Foods with dyes, colors, or that stick to the tongue.
• Many foods comprise dyes or colorants that could stain the tongue yellow or are sticky and stick to the tongue, discoloring its surface.

Oral Candidiasis

The overgrowth of Candida microorganisms can cause white patches on the tongue that eventually broaden into a yellow hue.

Geographic Tongue

Geographic tongue is a non-cancerous condition that causes red or white spots on the top and sides of the tongue, that is often surrounded by a yellow border. This condition occurs when you have missing patches of papillae on your tongue.

The spots are usually red, but they can also turn yellow. Sometimes they hurt. The condition has no known cause, but mainly affects children between the ages of 4 and 5. The patches tend to occur where skin cells are missing and are occasionally painful.

Liver Issues

A yellow tongue can signal liver problems, especially when accompanied by jaundice. Jaundice, caused by excess bilirubin from red blood cell breakdown, may lead to yellowing of the skin, eyes, or both. While a yellow tongue has various causes, jaundice requires immediate medical attention as it can indicate severe conditions like liver failure.

Eczema and Autoimmune Diseases

Some autoimmune conditions, such as eczema, weaken the body's immune system, allowing otherwise harmless bacteria to grow too large on the tongue.

Gastric Diseases and Infections

Conditions that cause inflammation of the gastric lining are known to cause a yellow coating on the tongue. Much research has shown that a thickened, yellow tongue is related to persistent gastritis or infection of the stomach lining, in particular, resulting from the Helicobacter pylori microorganism.

Symptoms of Yellow Tongue

Symptoms of a yellow tongue include:

• A yellowish coating or discoloration on the surface of the tongue.
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Dry mouth or a feeling of thickness on the tongue.
• Occasional irritation or sensitivity on the tongue's surface.

In some cases, it can also indicate an underlying health condition like poor oral hygiene, bacterial infection, or liver issues.

Conditions Associated with Yellow Tongue

• Oral Thrush (Candidiasis)
• Jaundice
• Geographic Tongue
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Sinus Infection
• Liver Disease

These medical conditions can result in yellowing or discoloration of the tongue. It's important to seek medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

When To Visit a Doctor?

You do not need medical help if a yellow tongue is your only symptom. However, you should seek a doctor's help if you experience the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• The yellow color does not disappear after two weeks
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes are also yellow
• Your tongue hurts

Diagnosis of Yellow Tongue

The diagnosis of thrush depends on the location and identification of whether there is an underlying cause. If the yeast infection is limited to the mouth:

To diagnose an oral yeast infection, your doctor or dentist may:

• Examine your mouth for lesions.
• Take a small scrap of the lesions to examine them under a microscope.
• A physical exam and blood tests are necessary to discover any underlying clinical conditions that may cause oral yeast infection.

If there is a yeast infection in the esophagus:

To help diagnose a yeast infection in your esophagus, your doctor may recommend any of these:

• Biopsy: A tissue sample is grown in a medium to identify the cause.
• Endoscopic Examination: An endoscope is used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
• Physical Exam and Blood Tests: To detect any underlying medical conditions.

Treatment for Yellow Tongue

Oral hygiene is an essential factor. The same habits and treatments that help treat yellow tongue also help prevent it.

Standard methods to deal with and save your yellow tongue include:

• Increased frequency and thoroughness of tooth brushing.
• Brush your tongue gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Scrape the tongue gently every day.
• Treat sinus infections.
• Seeking treatment for jaw conditions.
• Changing sleeping positions, pillows, or mattresses.

Tips for Preventing and Managing Yellow Tongue

• Practice good oral hygiene
• Limit your intake of starch or simple foods rich in carbohydrates
• Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeine
• Use rinses and mouthwashes without alcohol or oxidants
• Eat a healthy diet with enough fiber
• Avoid colored or dyed drinks
• Avoid hot or acidic foods and drinks

Home Remedies

• Rinse with warm salt water to reduce bacteria.
• Use alcohol-free mouthwashes or rinses to avoid irritation.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and support oral health.