A yellow tongue doesn't just look unattractive - if it's not caused by food, it can also be due to illness. These are the most important facts about yellow tongue!

Yellow tongue: the causes

If your tongue is noticeably yellow, it may be caused by various illnesses that need to be checked out by a doctor. The following causes can be responsible for the unpleasant tongue coating:

Disease of the liver and gallbladder

It is well known that jaundice can be recognized by the yellow-coloured eyeballs. However, this alone is not a distinguishing feature if the digestive organs are diseased. A yellow tongue can also be an indication of liver and gallbladder disease.

Tongue symptom indicator: recognizing diseases at a glance

Yellow tongue due to fungal infections

Another cause of yellow tongue coating is a fungal infection. This is indicated by a thick white-yellowish coating that also causes a furry feeling in the mouth. This can be caused by oral thrush, an infestation with the yeast Candida albicans. If you also have bad breath, difficulty swallowing and redness, you should see your doctor immediately. The problem: if you don't find a quick remedy, the fungal infection can have a lasting negative impact on the oral flora. Syphilis or diphtheria can also cause discoloration of the tongue.

Yellow tongue due to poisoning

Poisoning can also cause the tongue to turn yellow. Metals such as amalgam, which used to be used to make dental fillings, are a well-known example. This is one reason why other materials are used today. Nevertheless, many people still wear amalgam fillings.

General symptoms

As already described, there are usually accompanying symptoms of a yellow tongue. In summary, these are the following symptoms

• Bad breath
• Impairment of the taste
• fever
• Tongue burning
• General malaise/feeling of illness

When should you see a doctor?

If it is only a yellowish film and there are no of the above symptoms, you do not need to see a doctor. A yellowish discoloration can be caused by coffee or other foods, for example. If you can rule this out and you have the accompanying symptoms described above, you should see a doctor immediately.

Yellow tongue coating: diagnosis and treatment

The doctor will examine your tongue and oral mucosa, which often involves taking a swab. This can confirm or rule out the presence of a fungal infection. Depending on the results, appropriate treatment is then initiated or the tongue is professionally cleaned.

Prevent dental plaque

If there is no disease, there are a number of things you can do to prevent unpleasant tongue plaque. This includes thorough oral hygiene, in which not only the teeth are brushed but also the tongue is cleaned regularly. Mouthwashes that disinfect can also be recommended. Other points are:

• Drinking plenty of fluids to help saliva remove food debris.
• Eat a high-fiber diet because mechanical friction occurs on the tongue - this is comparable to exfoliation.
• Avoid tea, coffee and cigarettes as much as possible, as these foods and products also affect the color of the tongue.

Read also: What can be read from the condition of the oral cavity