White Tongue

A hot-food burn or bite can cause pain and swelling for a few days. Other named links include anaemia, scarlet fever, lichen planus, leukoplakia, geographic tongue, mouth ulcers and oral thrush.

Use a soft toothbrush, and gently brush the tongue or use a scraper to help improve a white tongue. Cool drinks through a straw can help after a hot-food injury.

A suspected oral fungal infection is assessed from the clinical presentation and, when needed, histopathology of lesion tissue. White plaques that scrape away can reveal red mucosa underneath.

Treatment follows the cause. Oral fungal infections may need appropriate antifungal therapy; topical options named for oral lesions include nystatin cream or gel, while severe cases may require amphotericin B.

Regular oral hygiene supports prevention: brush with a soft toothbrush and clean the tongue. Maintaining oral hygiene and correcting contributing factors are part of managing oral fungal infection.

Related mouth changes include burning, an unpleasant taste, tongue pain, itchiness, white patches inside the cheek, ulcers and redness beneath a removable plaque.

Arrange prompt clinical assessment when tongue pain or itchiness does not go away or gets worse, or when white patches are present. A fungal infection can resemble other mouth conditions, so persistent changes need assessment.