14 Easy and Effective Ways to Get Rid of a White Tongue

Have you started noticing your tongue turning white lately? Is it accompanied by a foul mouth odor as well?

Chances are you may be affected by what is called oral thrush (especially if you notice white lesions on the tongue or if the latter is inflamed), a bacterial infection that can lead to more serious health conditions if not treated on time, including gum disease and tooth decay, etc.

Here are some very important pointers you will need to take note about this white coating on your tongue, including what causes it, what it can lead to and how to take care of it at home before rushing to see the doctor.

Causes for White Tongue

Why is my tongue white? This may be the question that first pops into your mind when you see the discoloration on your tongue.

One of them main causes for white tongue is improper oral hygiene. While many individuals remember to brush and floss their teeth regularly, they tend to give their tongue a miss.

This causes the tongue to develop a thin white film on the surface with time.

Accordingly, some of the more common causes for a white coated tongue include:

• Food deposition (caused in particular by drinks, artificial sweeteners and sticky foods)
• Spicy foods like jalapeno peppers which contain substances that can cause the white discoloring
• Breathing through the mouth
• Fungal deposition or infection (oral thrush)
• Bacterial illness or infection
• Reaction to medications
• Tongue inflammation (Glossitis)
• Exposure to tobacco and alcohol
• Dehydration and
• Environmental irritants

How to Get Rid of White Tongue 

The tongue is one the strongest organs in the body. Color changes pertaining to the tongue can either be benign or serious.

In any case, it is considered essential to take care of the condition before it turns into something more serious. Here are some home remedies and general pointers that can come to your rescue in this case.

Treating White Coated Tongue with Home Remedies:

1. Treat White Tongue Using Salt 

Salt is one of the most effective home remedies for a white coated tongue. Here are some ways in which you can use salt to remove that white coating on tongue.

Method I: Salt Paste

The abrasive nature of salt can help remove the white coating on your tongue easily.

What you need:

• Salt – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Apply the salt onto the palm of your left hand.
• Dip the toothbrush in water and then sprinkle the salt onto it.
• Use the salt tipped toothbrush to brush your tongue gently. Do this twice a day in the morning and night to get rid of a white coated tongue.

Note: Do not brush too hard lest you harm the tongue in the process.

Method II: Salt & Lemon Paste

If your white tongue is caused by a bacterial/fungal infection, you can use a mixture of salt and lemon to combat the bacteria as well as the white coated tongue.

What you need:

• Salt – 1 tsp.
• Lemon – 2 to 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the salt and lemon to form a paste.
• Apply this paste on a damp toothbrush and gently brush your tongue with it.
• Do this for 5 minutes or so and rinse your mouth with warm water afterwards.
• Repeat this remedy twice a day to get rid of white tongue.

Method III: Salt Water Gargle

Can’t bear the taste of salt or lemon in your mouth? Then try this next remedy which also involves salt, but in a less distasteful way.

What you need:

• Salt – 1 tbsp.
• Water – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Mix the salt in the water until it dissolves completely.
• Pour a mouthful of this solution into your mouth and swish it around nicely. After gargling for about 10 seconds, spit out the saline water.
• Do this at least 6 to 7 times every morning after brushing your teeth to remove white spots on tongue.

2.  Lemon

Lemon has natural antibacterial properties (1) that can help clear out any fungal or bacterial infection causing the white spots on your tongue.

While simply brushing your tongue with lemon juice will help, here’s a sure shot remedy for the problem using an additional ingredient, some baking soda.

Baking soda will help exfoliate your tongue, bringing it back to its natural color quickly.

What you need:

• Lemon Juice – 1 tsp.
• Baking Soda – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Mix the lemon juice and baking soda to form a thick paste.
• Dab a small amount of this paste onto a toothbrush and brush your tongue gently. Do this once a day for a week or so to get rid of all those white spots on your tongue for good.

3. Yogurt

Yogurt is an excellent home remedy for bacterial and fungal infections. This is attributed to the high pro-biotic content of yogurt, meaning it is loaded with plenty of good bacteria that can fight off the infection causing bacteria and fungus from your mouth. Here is how you can use yogurt to cure a white coated tongue.

What you need:

• Yogurt – 1 tbsp.

What you need to do:

• Swish the yogurt around in your mouth for a few minutes after brushing your teeth.
• Use a tongue cleaner to gently scrape out the white coating.
• Spit out the yogurt and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
• Follow this home remedy every day without fail to treat white tongue caused by bacterial and fungal infections.

4. Probiotics

In addition to using yogurt to get rid of white patches on tongue, you can use probiotics as well. Probiotics are known to eradicate the candida fungus which is one of the main causes for a white coated tongue.

What you need:

• Probiotic Capsule – 1
• Warm Water – ½ cup

What you need to do:

• Break open the probiotic capsule the empty its contents into the water. Stir nicely until the powder dissolves completely.
• After brushing your teeth, pour the probiotic solution into your mouth and swish it around nicely. Do this for about 30 seconds and swallow the solution.
• Drink a glass of warm water after this. Follow this treatment once every day to get relief from white tongue.

Note: In addition to using probiotics for rinsing your mouth, you can take probiotic supplements at least twice a day until the white color on the tongue dissipates.

5. Treat White Tongue Using Using Turmeric

Turmeric is another well-known home remedy for bacterial and fungal infections. In addition to getting rid of the white coating on your tongue, turmeric will improve oral hygiene and kill bad breath. There are two ways in which you can use turmeric to get rid of white tongue.

Method I: Turmeric & Lemon Paste

The potent antibacterial properties of turmeric will take care of the fungus causing the white tongue while the lemon juice will help in exfoliating the dead skin cells on the surface, thus reducing the white discoloration.

What you need:

• Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp.
• Lemon Juice – 3 to 4 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the turmeric powder and lemon juice to form a thick paste.
• Apply this paste evenly on your tongue and wait for 5 minutes.
• Using a toothbrush, gently scrub the tongue for about 10 seconds.
• Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water afterwards.
• Do this twice a day in the morning and night to get rid of the white residue on your tongue.

Method II: Turmeric Mouth Wash

Another way to use turmeric to treat white tongue is to simply use it as a mouth wash after you brush your teeth. Here’s how you can do that.

What you need:

• Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp.
• Warm Water – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Add the turmeric powder to the warm water and stir nicely.
• Gargle with this solution after brushing your teeth at least twice a day to get rid of the white stuff on tongue

6. Get Rid of White Tongue Using Baking Soda

A white coated tongue can be easily treated at home with baking soda. Baking soda is an active exfoliating agent (2) that can help remove the white residue on your tongue easily.

It also contains neutralizing acids which can help maintain the pH levels in your mouth, thus preventing the infection as well as the white tongue from recurring again.

We have already seen the use of baking soda with lemon as a remedy for white coated tongue. So let’s see an alternate way in which you can use baking soda to treat the problem.

What you need:

• Baking Soda – 1 tsp.
• Warm Water –1 cup

What you need to do:

• Mix the baking soda with the water and stir nicely.
• After brushing your teeth, use this baking soda solution as a mouth wash and rinse your mouth thoroughly with it.
• You can opt to follow this remedy at least thrice a day at regular intervals to treat a white coated tongue and maintain proper oral hygiene.

[Also Read: How Baking Soda Helps to Remove Blackheads] 

7.  Fruits

Not many know that certain fruits are very effective in treating white coated tongue. In addition to being good for the gut, these fruits can do a very effective job in getting rid of white tongue.

Here are some home remedies to get rid of white tongue using two fruits in particular to cure white tongue.

Method I: Strawberry Paste

Strawberries are loaded with citric acid (3). This is why they are often recommended as natural teeth whitening agents.

However, did you know that they are very effective in cleaning the white residue from the tongue naturally as well? Check out this home remedy for that.

What you need:

• Ripe Strawberries – 2 to 3

What you need to do:

• Mash the strawberries to form a paste.
• Dab a sizeable amount of this paste onto your toothbrush. Brush the tongue gently with this paste.
• Wait for about 5 minutes afterwards and rinse your mouth with warm water. Repeat this remedy at least once a day to tackle the problem of a white coated tongue with ease.

Method II: Apple

Like strawberries, apples are considered very effective for overall oral hygiene. In addition to whitening your teeth and clearing out bad breath, an apple can help clean a white tongue naturally and effectively in a very short span of time.

What you need:

• Ripe Apples – 1

What you need to do:

• Peel the apple and blend the pulp to form a paste.
• Apply this paste on the tongue and wait for 10 minutes,
• Use a tongue scrapper to scrape off the paste as well as the white residue that comes with it.
• Repeat this remedy once a day to get rid of white tongue quickly.

Note: In addition to using these fruits as pastes, you can eat a couple of apples and strawberries on a regular basis to prevent the white coating from recurring again.

8. Neem (Indian Lilac)

Indian lilac aka neem is a potent natural cure for a number of bacterial and fungal infections, including oral thrush.

Neem is also a natural blood purifier (4) and can help clear out toxins from within the body, thus preventing these infections as well as their side effects (including the white spot on tongue) from occurring again.

What you need:

• Dried Neem Leaves – A handful
• Water – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Boil the dried neem leaves in water until the quantity of the latter reduces to about ½ cup.
• Wait for the solution to cool down to room temperature.
• Gargle your mouth nicely using this solution for about 20 to 30 seconds.
• Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water afterwards. Repeat this remedy at least twice a day to cure a white tongue naturally.

9. Aloe Vera

Of course, how can one forget Aloe Vera, the miraculous plant that is considered a potent home remedy for nearly every kind of ailment out there?

In addition to getting rid of the bacteria and fungus causing the white coating on the tongue, the anti-inflammatory and healing properties of Aloe Vera will help reduce the swelling in the tongue in addition to quickening the healing process.

What you need:

• Aloe Vera Gel – 4 tbsp.
• Warm Water – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Mix 2 tbsp. of the Aloe Vera gel with the warm water and keep aside.
• Apply 1 tbsp. of the gel on your tongue and wait for about 5 minutes.
• Pour the Aloe Vera concoction into your mouth and swish it around nicely for an additional 5 minutes.
• Spit out the solution and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
• Drink the remaining tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice directly. Follow this remedy once every two days or so to get rid of the white coated tongue within a few days.

[Also Read: Aloe Vera Gel for Face and Skin Care] 

10.  Vegetable Glycerin

Wondering how to get rid of white tongue easily and effectively without too much hassle? Trust some vegetable glycerin to come to your rescue.

In addition to removing the white residue on your tongue, vegetable glycerin will do a great job in combating bad breath.

What you need:

• Vegetable Glycerin – 1 tbsp.
• Warm Water – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Place the vegetable glycerin on the white tongue for about 5 minutes.
• Gently brush your tongue with a toothbrush.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water nicely. Repeat twice a day until the white color vanishes completely.

11. Treat White Tongue Using Oils

Oil pulling has been an age old remedy to treat white coated tongue naturally. It can be of great help in treating oral thrush as well as it helps eradicate the yeast causing the infection while also removing toxins from your body with ease.

Here are two remedies for white coated tongue using two different oils you can try out.

Method I: Coconut Oil Mouthwash

Coconut oil can help get rid of oral thrush and in the process, get rid of its after effects as well, including white patches on tongue.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil – 1 tsp.
• Warm Water – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Pour the coconut oil into your mouth and swish it around nicely for 15 minutes or so.
• Keep swishing the oil in your mouth until it turns milky white in color.
• Spit out the oil afterwards and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy every day before brushing your teeth in order to get rid of white tongue.

Method II: Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has natural antibacterial properties that help treat oral thrush effectively. In doing so, it will help reduce the sores and white discoloration on your tongue, restoring the latter to its natural pink color.

What you need:

• Peppermint Oil – 2 drops
• Warm Water – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Add the peppermint oil to the toothpaste you normally use.
• Use this paste to scrub your tongue nicely. Do this for about 10 minutes and spit out the oil.
• Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water afterwards. Do this once every day for desirable results.

Note: Do not swallow the oil in both cases.

12. Garlic

Garlic is a readily available home remedy for white tongue. It contains a substance called ajoene which is known to get rid of any kind of fungal infection right from its roots. Here is how you can use garlic to treat the white tongue.

What you need:

• Raw Garlic Cloves – 2 to 3

What you need to do:

• Crush the garlic cloves to make a paste.
• Apply this paste on the tongue and wait for 10 minutes.
• Rinse your mouth with cold water afterwards.
• Do this twice every day until the swelling goes down and the white color on the tongue reduces.

Note: You can also take garlic supplements on a regular basis until the infection dies down and tongue returns back to its normal color.

[Also Read: 16 Easy Ways to Heal Cuts on the Tongue Using Simple Remedies] 

13. Hydrogen Peroxide

Ever tried using hydrogen peroxide to treat white tongue? The strong antibacterial agent that it is, hydrogen peroxide can remove the bacteria on the tongue, thus removing the white discoloration in the process.

What you need:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide – 1 tsp.
• Water – 2 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Mix the hydrogen peroxide and water nicely,
• Dip a toothbrush into the solution and scrub your tongue gently with it.
• After about 5 minutes, spit out the hydrogen peroxide solution and rinse your mouth with cold water.
• Repeat this remedy once every two days or so until you no longer see any white patches on your tongue.

Note: Make sure you spit out the hydrogen peroxide and not swallow while scrubbing your tongue.

14. Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is one home remedy that is considered very effective for white tongue and oral thrush. It has the ability to get rid of the yeast growth on your tongue, thanks to its anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties.

What you need:

• Colloidal Silver – 1 tbsp.
• Water – 1 tbsp.

What you need to do:

• Mix the water and colloidal silver to dilute the latter.
• Pour this solution into your mouth and swish it round for about 10 minutes.
• Spit out the solution and rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Repeat this remedy at least twice a day for a couple of days until the white spots on the tongue disappear.

General Tips to follow for treating as well as preventing white tongue

Now that you have a fair idea of the various home remedies you can use to combat white tongue, take a look at some general tips that will help you in preventing the issue from recurring in the future.

Maintain proper oral hygiene: Oral hygiene is a must, considering the wide range of foods and drinks that go into our system on a daily basis these days.

In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, make it a point to clean your tongue at least twice a day as well. Use either a toothbrush with a cleaner or a tongue cleaner for the same purpose.

Brush after meals: Brushing your teeth and tongue after meals can prevent food buildup in the mouth, thus preventing the white residue from forming on the tongue.

Use antiseptic mouthwashes: If you are prone to bacterial infections, consider using an antiseptic mouthwash to clean your mouth after brushing your teeth as well as after meals.

This will prevent the yeast from setting in, thus preventing oral thrush and the resultant white tongue.

Avoid sugary foods and dairy products: These products can stain the teeth as well as coat the tongue. So stay away from them until the white residue in your tongue is completely removed.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol: Smoking and drinking can inflame the bumps in the tongue and lead to bacterial buildup in the same.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for some time until the infection in your mouth is cured completely. This will prevent your tongue from turning white as well.

Eat fiber rich foods: Crunchy, fiber rich foods help cleanse your gut as well as the white residue on your tongue.

Add fruits and vegetables like apples, strawberries, carrots and guava to your regular diet for the same purpose.

Keep hydrating your body: Dehydration causes white spots to appear on the tongue at times. So ensure to keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day, especially during the summer months.

Call the doctor: If the white residue in the tongue is accompanies by pain, severe inflammation and fever, call the doctor immediately.

You may also need to visit the doctor if the white tongue persists for more than 2 weeks.

[Also Read: Home Treatment for Burns on the Roof of Your Mouth] 

Don’t neglect that white coating on your tongue. It may be as simple as a white residue caused by the buildup of food particles.

Then again, it may be something more serious like a bacterial or fungal infection that can cause severe harm to your body if not treated in time. Use these home remedies to combat a white tongue naturally at home.

Follow the general pointers to ensure that your recovery from the issue is quick and effective. And consult with a doctor the moment you notice pain, inflammation or more whiteness in your tongue.

Watch Video on how to Get Rid of a White Tongue