Yellow tongue usually occurs as a result of a harmless buildup of dead skin cells on the tiny projections papillae on the surface of your tongue. Most commonly this occurs when your papillae become enlarged and bacteria in your mouth produce colored pigments. Also, the longer-than-normal papillae can easily trap cells that have shed, which become stained by tobacco, food or other substances. Mouth breathing or dry mouth may also be linked to yellow tongue. Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Looking in a mirror and seeing that the tongue has changed from pink or reddish to orange may be alarming. Fortunately, an orange tongue is usually caused by something a person has eaten, such as an orange popsicle, gelatin, hard candy, or another type of food containing artificial coloring. However, if a person has not recently eaten one of these foods, an orange tongue can indicate an underlying medical condition. Using tobacco and drinking coffee or tea can make the tongue appear orange if a person does not brush their teeth afterward. Severe dry mouth, or xerostomia, can also turn the tongue orange. Dry mouth prevents bacteria from being flushed away as usual. This can lead to oral decay.
Cause yellow antibiotics tongue which
People who take certain medications that contain bismuth, antibiotics, blood-thinning drugs, and others are prone to tongue discolouration. Symptoms Yellow tongue. Saudi Arabia English. In addition to maintaining a good home care routine, the best thing you can do is to schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Oral thrush is typically caused by a fungal infection that develops on the mucous membranes of the mouth. But on rare occasions, the condition is a symptom of a more serious health condition that requires medical attention, usually jaundice. Follow us on twitter. Rarely, yellow tongue occurs due to a buildup of bilirubin in the tongue. However, sometimes your symptoms might occur due to an underlying ailment that requires medical treatment.