Why does a white coating appear on the baby's tongue during breastfeeding
Microorganisms live and reproduce on the mucous membrane of the tongue. Plaque on the tongue occurs when its surface is colonized by bacteria or fungi, and dead cells get "trapped" between the tongue papillae. How to remove gray plaque on the tongue and in the mouth, whether it is possible to diagnose a disease by the color of the plaque, whether it is necessary to clean the tongue - this is what our article is about.
Treatment of a white coating on a child's tongue
A white coating on a child's tongue is, most likely, the usual leftover food. If it is not removed with a wet napkin and spreads to the mucous membrane of the cheeks, then this indicates the development of an infectious process.
Why does a white coating appear on the baby's tongue during breastfeeding? As a rule, this is thrush - a fungal infection caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. A white plaque covers the baby's tongue and gums, the inside of the lips and cheeks. Thrush often occurs in children under one year old. The reason is the immature immune system of babies. Thrush is a contagious disease, therefore, to avoid it, it is necessary to carefully sterilize bottles and pacifiers. Older children also get thrush. Babies with weakened immunity and asthmatic children who use inhaled corticosteroids are at risk. Treatment of a white plaque on a child's tongue is carried out with local antifungal drugs. Important: the medicine should be prescribed only by a doctor, since a similar picture may be a symptom of another condition, in which antimycotics are not needed. For example, diseases caused by the Coxsackie virus are often accompanied by the appearance of white "spots" on the tongue. In fact, these are painful ulcers that disappear on their own within 3-5 days without any treatment. Therefore, if a white coating on the tongue is detected in a child, you should consult a doctor, and not engage in self-medication.
In babies, the surface of the tongue can be covered with a colored coating. How to treat a yellow coating on the tongue in a newborn depends on the condition that is accompanied by this symptom. For example, sometimes the tongue is covered with a colored coating from certain baby formulas. It is worth changing the diet - and the tongue is clean again. However, a yellow plaque can also indicate problems with the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory infections. In these cases, the main disease is treated.
Causes of black plaque on the tongue in adults
"Show your tongue" - probably everyone has heard this phrase in the doctor's office. "Why is it so important for a doctor to see a patient's tongue?" - patients are lost in guesswork. The specialist will determine how clean the tongue is, and based on the nature and color of the plaque, he will be able to make a diagnosis. A dark plaque on the tongue is a sign of what disease? Do not be afraid of the appearance of a strange shade of the mucous membrane. The reasons for the color change can be temporary and completely harmless.
Causes of black plaque on the tongue in adults:
- change in bacterial flora after a course of antibiotics;
- poor oral hygiene;
- xerostomia;
- glossitis;
- regular use of mouthwash containing irritating oxidants;
- smoking or chewing tobacco;
- consumption of excessive amounts of coffee or black tea;
- alcohol abuse.
What does a brown coating on the tongue mean? A change in color generally occurs when the papillae on the surface of the tongue grow more than usual. The waste products of microorganisms accumulate between them, which leads to an unpleasant shade of the tongue. If the root of the tongue is covered with a green coating, the cause may be oral candidiasis (thrush). Against the background of taking antibiotics or using "colored" products, the white-gray plaque characteristic of thrush can be colored in various shades of green.
What does a red plaque on the tongue indicate:
- about the lack of folic acid and vitamin B12, which is the cause of the reddish tint;
- about "geographic tongue" (benign migratory glossitis), which is characterized by the appearance of reddish spots on the surface of the tongue;
- about scarlet fever, one of the symptoms of which is "strawberry tongue". Read more about the symptoms and treatment of scarlet fever on our website Dobrobut.com;
- about Kawasaki syndrome, which is observed in children under the age of five and is characterized by damage to blood vessels. The syndrome is accompanied by redness of the tongue ("strawberry tongue").
How to fight plaque on the tongue
Thorough cleaning of the tongue is the main hygienic procedure aimed at removing plaque. Conducted clinical tests have confirmed that regular cleaning of the tongue reduces the number of bacteria and reduces unpleasant odor by 75%.
How to get rid of dry mouth and white plaque on the tongue:
- use a special scraper - effective cleaning of the tongue reduces plaque by 40%;
- drink a sufficient amount of water;
- eat foods that contain coarse fiber (for example, apples, carrots);
- quit smoking;
- do not abuse alcoholic beverages;
- eat properly;
- rinse your mouth after eating.
By following these simple rules, you can forever "say goodbye" to plaque on the tongue and forget about bad breath.
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