What causes a red tongue coating?
Disease description:
I noticed my tongue coating was red when brushing my teeth this morning, but it doesn't affect eating. What causes a red tongue coating?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
A red tongue coating may result from exogenous staining caused by consuming foods containing red pigments, such as cherries or red dragon fruit, leaving pigment residues on the tongue surface. It could also be due to burning mouth syndrome. Additionally, conditions such as anemia, infection with Candida albicans, or niacin deficiency leading to atrophic glossitis often cause a red tongue coating, sometimes accompanied by tongue coating atrophy or other related changes.
