How to treat white, thick, greasy tongue coating, halitosis, and tooth marks on the tongue?
Disease description:
Recently, I’ve been experiencing severe halitosis. Upon examining my tongue, I noticed a thick, greasy white coating and tooth marks on the tongue’s edges. I’m unsure how to address this. How should I treat halitosis accompanied by a thick, greasy white tongue coating and tooth marks?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Dong
A thick, greasy white tongue coating, halitosis, and tooth marks on the tongue may indicate either food retention or excessive dampness.
If caused by food retention, prokinetic medications—such as Zhishi Xiaopi Wan (Fructus Aurantii and Poria Pill) or Jianwei Xiaoshi Pian (Stomach-Strengthening and Food-Digesting Tablets)—may be taken to enhance gastric motility, accelerate digestion, alleviate food stagnation, and thereby relieve associated discomfort.
If attributable to excessive internal dampness, medications such as Fuzi Lizhong Wan (Processed Aconite Root and Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae Pill) or Nuang Wei Shule Pian (Warming-Stomach Soothing Tablets) may be used to resolve dampness; over time, the thick, greasy white tongue coating, halitosis, and tooth-marked tongue will gradually subside.
