When your tongue turns white, you may be immediately concerned.
This article discusses the possible causes, symptoms, and treatment options for a white tongue.
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Symptoms of White Tongue
The main characteristic of white tongue is discoloration.
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That said, other symptoms may accompany white tongue, depending on the cause.
What Medications Can Cause White Tongue?
There are no specific tests designed to diagnose white tongue.
Healthcare providers or dentists will examine the tongue and ask about any other possible symptoms you’re experiencing.
Other tests are used to determine if anunderlying health disorderis driving the discoloration of the tongue.
Since there are several causes associated with white tongue, the tests will vary significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many things can cause a white tongue.
In rarer cases, medical conditions such as syphilis, oral thrush, or leukoplakia can be the cause.
Iin most cases, having a white tongue does not signal that you have something more serious.
That said, some conditions that cause white tongue require treatment.
The most serious health condition is cancer, but that is rare.
The treatment of white tongue depends on the cause.
In many cases, it will clear up on its own.
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