The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the National Dental Centre Singapore explains what a pale pink or whitish tongue means.
The white coating of the tongue can be made up of hyperkeratinised epithelial cells – the dead cells that form the topmost layer of cells in the mucosa of the tongue, which will appear as a whitish layer if they become abundant – or food debris, or a mixture of both. The coating of the tongue is usually caused partly by insufficient intake of fluid. The lack of fluid may lead to decreased removal of the coating by saliva, and it may alter the tendency of the topmost layer of mucosal cells to detach or fall off.
Causes of white coating on the tongue
The coating may be quite commonly seen in healthy adults, more often in those who have missing teeth, those on a soft diet, those with poor oral hygiene and those who are fasting. People who are fasting may be drinking an inadequate amount of fluid to replace what is lost through respiration, sweating and urination.
Not drinking enough water
Someone on a soft diet may also not be drinking enough water, either due to habit or lack of thirst stimulation for various reasons. A soft diet does not necessarily mean that there is a greater intake of fluid. The amount of water required depends on the amount that is lost and the salt intake. The higher the salt consumption, the more water one needs. The spaces left by missing teeth may tend to accumulate food debris.
Poor oral hygiene
Sub-optimal oral hygiene could lead to a person having a white coating that could otherwise have been removed. The tongue can become coated with off-white debris in people with various illnesses, especially those with poor oral hygiene or those who are dehydrated. The coating can usually be scraped off at least partially.
Weak immune system
In a small number of patients who have weakened immune systems, a white layer on the tongue may be a fungal infestation, which can be rubbed off, leaving a bleeding surface. The fungal infestation can be treated with anti-fungal medication. Perhaps the most sensible advice is to ensure sufficient intake of water and, if the furred tongue still persists over time, a visit to the dentist should be helpful in clearing up any doubts.
Ref: S13
