What does it mean if my tongue coating is white and my tongue feels numb?
Nov 08, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Poor oral hygiene can lead to the accumulation of food debris, bacteria, and dead skin cells on the tongue, forming white or grayish-white plaque. Additionally, bacteria in the mouth may cause tongue coating and a numb sensation, often accompanied by bad breath. It is important to maintain oral cleanliness by brushing teeth regularly, using dental floss, and using mouthwash. When brushing teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the surface of the tongue, removing tongue coating and bacteria.
Generally, a white tongue coating accompanied by a tingling sensation on the tongue may be caused by cold environments, poor oral hygiene, oral candidiasis, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, multiple sclerosis, and other factors. Prompt medical consultation is advised, and treatment should follow medical guidance. Details are as follows:
1. Cold Environment: In cold environments, the body reduces peripheral blood circulation to maintain body temperature, which can slow circulation in areas such as the tongue, causing white tongue coating and a tingling sensation. There are usually no significant symptoms. No specific treatment is necessary; wearing additional clothing or adjusting the environmental temperature appropriately to improve blood circulation can help alleviate the condition.
2. Poor Oral Hygiene: Poor oral hygiene can lead to accumulation of food debris, bacteria, and dead epithelial cells on the tongue, forming white or grayish plaques. Bacteria in the mouth may also cause a tingling sensation on the tongue, often accompanied by bad breath. Regular tooth brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash can help maintain oral cleanliness. When brushing teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the surface of the tongue to remove tongue coating and bacteria.
3. Oral Candidiasis: Candida is a common fungus. If Candida overgrows in the mouth, it may cause candidiasis, leading to white tongue coating, accompanied by tingling and pain. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as itraconazole capsules, ketoconazole capsules, or fluconazole capsules can be used to inhibit Candida growth and alleviate symptoms.
4. Vitamin B12 or Folic Acid Deficiency: Vitamin B12 and folic acid are essential nutrients for maintaining normal nervous system function. Deficiencies in these vitamins may impair nervous system function, causing symptoms such as white tongue coating and tingling, often accompanied by fatigue. Follow medical advice for medication use, such as folic acid tablets, vitamin B12 tablets, or mecobalamin tablets, which can promote nervous system development and function.
5. Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that causes damage to the autonomic nervous system. When neural regulation of the gastrointestinal tract becomes imbalanced, digestive function weakens, causing food to remain in the gastrointestinal tract for prolonged periods, generating dampness manifested as white tongue coating. Nervous system damage can also cause tingling in the tongue, often accompanied by visual disturbances. Under medical guidance, medications such as mitoxantrone hydrochloride injection, teriflunomide tablets, or azathioprine tablets can be used to suppress excessive immune responses, reducing inflammation and nerve damage.
In daily life, maintaining good lifestyle and dietary habits is also an important measure for preventing and managing these symptoms.
