1. Antifungal Medication
If oral thrush is the cause of your white tongue, consider an antifungal, such as a lozenge, pill, or natural antifungal. Talk to your doctor about options to treat oral thrush — preferably antifungal medication with few to no side effects.
After a tongue piercing, a typical white patch of bacterial overgrowth may grow around the piercing. A simple antifungal mouthwash should take care of this cause of white tongue.
2. Penicillin
Penicillin treats white tongue caused by syphilis by eliminating the bacterial cause of this condition.
3. Probiotics
Oral probiotics can help balance your oral microbiome — the good bacteria in your mouth. Probiotics may improve oral health and resolve the issues causing white tongue.
This 2019 study shows that probiotics have a beneficial effect against oral thrush, one of the most common causes of white tongue.
For the best results, use a good chewable oral probiotic, not just probiotics for the gut.
Many probiotic foods may also support your oral microbiome:
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Miso
- Natto
- Pickles
- Sauerkraut
- Sourdough bread
- Tempeh
- Yogurt
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is naturally antifungal and antibacterial, which can help clean your mouth of bad bacteria and yeasts. Harmful bacteria and yeasts are a common cause of white tongue, so baking soda may help clean your tongue without any side effects.
5. Green Tea
Unsweetened green tea and green tea extract are widely believed to be antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, antitumor, and many other adjectives that basically mean green tea is excellent for your health.
Green tea may be effective against oral thrush and white tongue, and its side effects are generally preferable to harsher alternatives such as sodium hypochlorite.
6. Oil Pulling
Coconut oil pulling is simply swishing coconut oil around your mouth for a couple of minutes, then spitting it out in the trash. (It’s a liquid in your mouth but a solid at room temperature.)
Oil pulling can reduce harmful bacteria in your oral cavity, which may treat the root cause of your white tongue. A recent scientific review confirms that oil pulling helps prevent oral thrush and dry mouth — two common causes of white tongue.
7. Garlic
Garlic extract contains compounds that may be antimicrobial, antitumor, and good for your heart. A 2021 study published in Antioxidants concludes that garlic is “safe and effective in treatment of various oral [diseases],” including the underlying causes of white tongue. Eating garlic might also confer benefits, but concentrated garlic extract is likely more effective in this case.
8. Aloe Vera
An aloe vera mouth rinse could help treat white tongue. A 2020 study shows that an aloe vera ethanol extract is an effective antifungal agent. Antifungals can be helpful against white tongue.
9. Oregano Oil
Oil of oregano has antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It seems effective at treating oral thrush, a leading cause of white tongue. Oregano essential oil should probably not be consumed, as it’s so concentrated. But oregano oil extract should be perfectly safe. The spice oregano also offers benefits, but only in large amounts.
10. Tongue Scraping
Gently scraping your tongue can reduce the harmful bacterial load on your tongue’s surface. Don’t scrape too hard — this can cause unnecessary bleeding from your taste buds or the small bumps over your entire tongue. If oral thrush is the cause of the white coating on your tongue, scraping away the white patches may reveal tender, inflamed areas prone to bleeding. Tongue scraping may better remove bad breath molecules than brushing your tongue. It may also help remove white tongue-causing bacteria.
11. Improved Oral Hygiene
Sometimes, good oral hygiene is all you need to treat white tongue. Do all of the following to maximize your oral hygiene routine:
- Brush your teeth twice a day — but not right after a meal when there are still acids on your teeth. If you’re brushing after a meal, wait 45 minutes after your last bite.
- Brush in gentle circles at a 45° angle towards your gums. Don’t brush too hard, or you could hurt your gums.
- Brush with soft bristles, not hard bristles, which could harm your teeth.
- Toothpaste is mostly optional, but certain formulations could work for your unique situation. I formulated Revitin to address some of the most common missing elements in “natural” toothpaste.
- Electric toothbrushes tend to remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes. Manual toothbrushes can remove just as much plaque buildup, but only with perfect technique every time.
- Flossing properly can reduce interdental plaque and the risk for cavities, gingivitis, and white tongue.
- Air dry your toothbrush with the brush head facing the ceiling. This lowers the risk of bacteria growing on your brush. Also, keep your toothbrush far away from flushing toilets.
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke. Drinking and smoking lead to serious medical conditions and significantly damage oral health.
