The products of the vital activity of our body are derived not only from urine, feces, and sweat but also through the tongue. Regularly removing this poison from the tongue, you can “clean” and conduct a constant detoxification of the body. Cleaning the tongue improves the sensitivity of the taste buds, freshens your breath, and it also prevents the onset of cavities, plaque, and gum disease.
We collected easy ways that can help you treat white tongue and make it healthy.
Why is your tongue white?
White tongue can be an indicator of diseases.
From ancient times, the state of the tongue was used to diagnose diseases in the body. The tongue shows us that something is wrong with the body before the onset of pain and the appearance of signs of the disease. Ancient healers believed that a patient isn’t completely cured until the tongue looks healthy, even if all the symptoms of the underlying ailment have already gone.
The location of the plaque allows us to determine quite accurately the organ that needs treatment:
The front and tip of the tongue: Diseases of the respiratory system. The lungs cause the formation of whiteness along the edges. White plaque in the middle indicates heart issues.
The middle part of the tongue: The liver is projected onto the left edge, the pancreas on the right, and the stomach is in the middle.
Bottom of the tongue: The edges correspond to the kidneys, the area in the middle is the intestine. The accumulation of whiteness at the base can signal the presence of a significant amount of toxins in the intestine. This is a sign of the onset of gastritis, stomach ulcers, or duodenal ulcers, especially if there are cracks or if the plaque appears gray.
Also, the formation of white or other plaque on the tongue is a sign of a weakened immune system.
So, if your tongue is white, inspect it and determine where the plaque is located.
And don’t forget that white tongue can be an indicator of insufficient oral hygiene.
Natural remedies for cleaning and disinfecting the tongue
There are some natural tricks that can help you clean and disinfect the tongue. It will help you improve the health of your gums and even your teeth.
1. Garlic
It’s amazing, isn’t it? After all, we are used to the fact that garlic is the cause of bad breath and not a way to clean the mouth. Disregard previous beliefs about garlic and don’t be afraid to eat raw garlic — it will help you kill bacteria and cleanse the tongue.
2. Aloe vera
Aloe has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. To kill the germs on the tongue and on the gums, put a tablespoon of aloe vera juice in your mouth, swish it for a few minutes, and spit it out. Then rinse your mouth with warm water. You can repeat this several times a day.
3. Salt
Salt is one of the best helpers for cleansing the tongue. Abrasive salt particles will remove contamination and dead cells from the tongue. Sprinkle some salt on the tongue and lightly brush with a toothbrush for a minute. Then rinse your mouth with water. Repeat twice a day.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric isn’t only a spice, but also an excellent alternative to antiseptic drugs for the mouth. Combine the turmeric and citrus juice until you get a pasty consistency. Rub the paste onto the tongue for 2 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Voilà!
5. Tooth brush or scrub
Gently brush the tongue with a toothbrush or a special brush from the bottom up — from the base to the tip. Do not press hard and take your time.
6. Disinfecting mouthwash with herbs and salt
Herbs have medicinal properties — for example, chamomile, mint, and sage. Take a tbsp of chamomile, a tsp of mint, and a tsp of sage, add a pinch of oak bark to the mixture and fill it with 4 cups of boiled water. Wait for the broth to cool and strain it. Then pour a tbsp of salt into the broth. Done! Swish with this remedy twice a day after brushing your teeth.
Do’s and Don’ts for a healthy tongue
1. Don’t smoke
Smoking can help inflame the papillae of the tongue. This means that dead cells will accumulate on the tongue, which creates a comfortable environment for the growth of bacteria. Also, cigarette smoke contains chemicals that are unhealthy for mouth tissue.
2. Don’t drink alcohol
Alcohol affects the tongue in 2 ways at once — it causes inflammation of the papillae in the tongue and dehydrates the body. Therefore, it’s better to refrain from it.
3. Drink more water
Water helps our whole body, the tongue included. Dehydration and dry mouth can provoke a white tongue. Drink regularly and consider factors such as your body weight, activity level, and climate. Always carry a bottle of water with you so that you can instantly replenish the level of water in your body if you’re thirsty.
Dehydration also has other symptoms: dark urine, exhaustion, fatigue, headaches, and rare urination.
4. Improve oral hygiene
Everything is logical and simple here. Careful oral hygiene can help reduce the number of bacteria. It’s necessary to clean both the teeth and the tongue after each meal — in the morning and before bedtime. Ideally, this ritual should look like this: clean the teeth and tongue, use dental floss, use an oral irrigator, and use disinfectant mouthwash.
