Table of contents:
- How to deal with yellow tongue according to the cause
- 1. Rarely brush your teeth
- 2. Smoking
- 3. Dry mouth
- 4. Black hairy tongue syndrome
- 5. Geographical tongue
- 6. Jaundice
Normally, the tongue is pink with a light white coating on top. If your color turns yellowish, this could be a sign you should see a doctor. Before leaving, you can try the various ways to deal with a yellow tongue below.
How to deal with yellow tongue according to the cause
Because the causes vary, the way to deal with a yellow tongue is certainly different. To be clearer, here are ways to deal with yellow tongue based on the cause.
1. Rarely brush your teeth
Rarely brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth is one of the most common causes of yellowing of your tongue. This discoloration is caused by the buildup of dead skin cells and bacteria on the rashes on the surface of the tongue (papillae). The waste substances from these bacteria will produce pigments that make your tongue appear yellowish.
The easiest way to deal with yellow tongue is of course regularly brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, morning and night. Don't forget to clean your tongue and regularly check with the dentist every six months.
2. Smoking
The tongue of the average smoker is yellow due to its toxic effects. So the best way to deal with this yellow tongue is to stop smoking immediately. This solution is non-negotiable. Moreover, smoking can increase your risk of developing various oral cancers, such as oral cancer, tongue cancer, and throat cancer.
The easiest way to start quitting smoking slowly is to chew gum whenever your mouth starts to taste sour. Don't hesitate to consult a doctor for a more effective way of quitting smoking, such as a prescription bupropion (Zyban) to help relieve symptoms of nicotine addiction. You can also follow a variety of smoking cessation therapies that are quite effective at helping you quit smoking.
3. Dry mouth
Dry mouth can cause the tongue to turn yellow. Try to overcome it by drinking lots of water at least eight glasses per day. If you are a person whose activity is quite dense, the "portion" of water can be multiplied. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine and alcohol, which can actually make you thirsty, causing your mouth to dry out even more.
You can also chew sugarless gum to help stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth. Use a humidifier to help humidify the air in the bedroom if you like sleeping mangap which can make your mouth dry in the morning.
4. Black hairy tongue syndrome
A black hairy tongue is a temporary mouth irritation that is painless, as well as harmless. This occurs when the tongue (papilla) grows bigger and traps dead skin cells and oral bacteria. Coupled with a mixture of tobacco residue and food scraps that accumulate on the tongue and aggravate the situation.
Before the color of the tongue looks blackish, your tongue will turn yellowish color first. To fix this, regularly brush your teeth at least twice a day and rinse your mouth with water as often as possible. Most importantly, avoid smoking habits which can aggravate this syndrome.
5. Geographical tongue
Source: Everyday Health
How to deal with a yellow tongue due to geographic tongue can be done by applying a corticosteroid ointment prescribed by a doctor. This ointment can help reduce pain and discomfort on the tongue.
You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers or mouthwash to help relieve pain. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this type of drug.
6. Jaundice
Jaundice (jaundice) is one of the causes of yellow tongue that needs to be watched out for. This jaundice can be caused by a variety of things, from hepatitis and sickle cell anemia to acute liver failure.
If the yellow tongue problem is caused by hepatitis, the doctor will prescribe certain drugs to help control the bilirubin. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells are damaged, making the sufferer's whole body turn yellow.
Meanwhile, if your jaundice is caused by sickle cell anemia, you may need a blood transfusion or iron chelation therapy. Most importantly, avoid consuming alcohol to keep your liver healthy from further damage.