What causes a yellow tongue coating?
Sep 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, a yellow tongue coating may be caused by dietary factors, reduced saliva secretion, chronic gastritis, cholecystitis, diabetes, and other conditions. If you experience any discomfort, seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. A yellow tongue coating can result from various factors; therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and good oral hygiene in daily life.
Under normal circumstances, a yellow tongue coating may be caused by dietary factors, reduced saliva secretion, chronic gastritis, cholecystitis, diabetes, and other conditions. If discomfort occurs, seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Dietary Factors
Consuming excessive amounts of yellow-colored foods, such as carrots and pumpkins, can lead to pigment deposition on the tongue coating, potentially turning it yellow. Simply adjusting the diet appropriately in daily life is usually sufficient.
2. Reduced Saliva Secretion
Inadequate daily water intake may cause dryness in the oral cavity, reduce saliva production, and weaken the mouth's self-cleaning ability, resulting in a yellow tongue coating. It is important to increase fluid intake, maintain proper hydration, and thereby improve the color of the tongue coating.
3. Chronic Gastritis
Long-term alcohol consumption and smoking can irritate the gastric mucosa, leading to chronic gastritis. Inflammation may impair gastrointestinal digestion and absorption, causing internal damp-heat and resulting in a yellow tongue coating. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as stomach bloating and belching. It is recommended to follow a doctor’s instructions and use medications such as esomeprazole magnesium enteric-coated capsules, pantoprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules, or ranitidine hydrochloride tablets for treatment.
4. Cholecystitis
Gallstones are the primary cause of cholecystitis. Inflammatory stimulation can impair gallbladder function, allowing damp-heat to travel via blood and qi circulation to the oral cavity, leading to a yellow tongue coating. Symptoms may include bitter taste in the mouth and fever. Patients may take medications such as ceftriaxone sodium for injection, cefdinir capsules, or ursodeoxycholic acid tablets under a doctor's advice.
5. Diabetes
As people age, metabolic function gradually declines and insulin sensitivity decreases, which may trigger diabetes. Prolonged high blood sugar levels alter the oral microenvironment, potentially causing the tongue coating to turn yellow. Symptoms may include dry mouth and frequent urination. Under medical supervision, patients may use medications such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, glipizide tablets, or glimepiride capsules for management.
A yellow tongue coating may result from various factors. In daily life, one should maintain a balanced diet, practice good oral hygiene, brush teeth regularly, rinse the mouth frequently, and actively maintain overall oral health.
