What does it mean when there is a white coating on the tongue?

Under normal circumstances, a white coating on the tongue may be caused by poor oral hygiene, dehydration, indigestion, acute bronchitis, chronic pyelonephritis, or other conditions. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Bacteria in the mouth can multiply on food debris and dead cells, forming a white layer covering the tongue—commonly known as tongue coating. This condition is usually related to personal oral hygiene habits. Improving oral hygiene by brushing teeth regularly, using dental floss, cleaning the tongue daily, and rinsing with fluoride mouthwash can help prevent this issue.

2. Dehydration

When the body is dehydrated, saliva production decreases, impairing the natural clearance of bacteria and food particles from the mouth, which may lead to a white coating on the tongue. Increasing fluid intake, maintaining adequate hydration, and avoiding prolonged exposure to dry environments are recommended.

3. Indigestion

Consuming large amounts of spicy or irritating foods may lead to insufficient gastric motility or food stagnation, causing digestive issues that manifest as a white tongue coating. It is important to develop healthy eating habits, such as eating smaller meals more frequently and maintaining regular meal times with controlled portion sizes.

4. Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is typically caused by viral infections, which damage epithelial cells and stimulate increased secretion from submucosal glands, resulting in excessive phlegm production. This mucus may adhere to the tongue, giving the coating a whitish appearance. Symptoms often include coughing and sputum production. It is recommended to follow a doctor’s instructions when using medications such as dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablets, pentoxifylline citrate tablets, or compound salbutamol sulfate aerosol for treatment.

5. Chronic Pyelonephritis

Chronic pyelonephritis is usually triggered by bacterial rather than viral infections. Persistent inflammation may trigger various systemic responses, including the development of a white tongue coating. Common accompanying symptoms include fever and nausea. Treatment typically involves antibiotics such as levofloxacin tablets, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets, or amoxicillin capsules, used according to medical advice.

In daily life, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene to support tongue health, as well as practice balanced eating habits and avoid overeating.