Yellow Tongue: Causes, Symptoms, and Medical Concerns

The yellow tongue usually occurs because of a harmless accumulation of dead skin cells in the small projections (papillae) on the surface of the tongue.

Oral yeast infection, or yellow tongue, occurs when an enormous amount of Candida fungi accumulates on the tongue. This buildup can make the tongue look yellow or orange.

Oral yeast infection affects people of all ages. In rare cases, it is a symptom of a more serious health condition that requires medical attention, usually jaundice. It is especially common in people who take steroid medications or have weakened immune systems.

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Causes of Yellow Tongue

Oral Hygiene Products with Oxidizing Agents

Some oral hygiene products, including mouthwashes, rinses, and toothpaste, contain chemical compounds or particles that cause dry mouth, aggravate pores and skin cells on the tongue, or cause them to extrude color.

Common compounds known to cause yellow tongue discoloration include:

Dry Mouth or Mouth Breathing

A dry mouth is the lack of enough saliva in the mouth. Saliva removes bacteria from the mouth, which helps prevent cavities. Saliva naturally helps remove excess bacteria and particles from the surface of the tongue. Dehydration reduces saliva production, so bacteria and food particles remain close to cells, increasing the risk of bacterial growth.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth and tongue helps reduce bacteria and the risk of a yellow tongue. Inadequate brushing can lead to a buildup of dead cells and bacteria on the tongue, which may cause yellowing. Food, tobacco, and other substances can also stain the tongue. While bad breath isn't a direct cause, poor oral hygiene and bacterial growth can contribute to both. Improving oral care and addressing health issues can help manage both conditions.

Black Hairy Tongue

Black hairy tongue is a fairly standard, non-cancerous condition in which bacteria or fungi cause an enlarged, elongated, hair-like mat to appear on the surface of the tongue. Although the tongue usually appears black, it can also turn yellow, blue, or green. This harmless condition occurs when the small bumps called papillae that line the tip and sides of the tongue become enlarged.

Mouthwashes that Contain Oxidizing Agents

Certain Medications and Drugs

Many medications and drugs also contain staining particles, cause pigment discoloration, or weaken the immune system. Common substances and medicinal drugs that can increase the danger of developing a yellow tongue include:

Oral Candidiasis

The overgrowth of Candida microorganisms can cause white patches on the tongue that eventually broaden into a yellow hue.

Geographic Tongue

Geographic tongue is a non-cancerous condition that causes red or white spots on the top and sides of the tongue that is often surrounded by a yellow border. This condition occurs when you have missing patches of papillae on your tongue.

The spots are usually red, but they can also turn yellow. Sometimes they hurt. The condition has no known cause, but mainly affects children between the ages of 4 and 5. The patches tend to occur where skin cells are missing and are occasionally painful.

Liver Issues

A yellow tongue can signal liver problems, especially when accompanied by jaundice. Jaundice, caused by excess bilirubin from red blood cell breakdown, may lead to yellowing of the skin, eyes, or both. While a yellow tongue has various causes, jaundice requires immediate medical attention as it can indicate severe conditions like liver failure.

Eczema and Autoimmune Diseases

Some autoimmune conditions, such as eczema, weaken the body's immune system, allowing otherwise harmless bacteria to grow too large on the tongue.

Gastric Diseases and Infections

Conditions that cause inflammation of the gastric lining are known to cause a yellow coating on the tongue. Much research has shown that a thickened, yellow tongue is related to persistent gastritis or infection of the stomach lining, in particular, while resulting from the Helicobacter pylori microorganism.

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Diagnosis of Yellow Tongue

The diagnosis of thrush depends on the location and identification of whether there is an underlying cause. If the yeast infection is limited to the mouth:

To diagnose an oral yeast infection, your doctor or dentist may:

If there is a yeast infection in the esophagus:

To help diagnose yeast infection in your esophagus, your doctor may recommend any of these:

Biopsy

The tissue sample is grown in a special medium to help determine which bacteria or fungi, if any, are causing your symptoms.

Endoscopic Examination

In this procedure, your doctor examines the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine (duodenum) using a flexible, lighted tube with a camera at the end (endoscope).

Physical Exam

A physical exam and certain blood tests may be performed to identify any underlying medical conditions that may cause thrush in the esophagus.

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Treatment for Yellow Tongue

Oral hygiene is an essential factor. The same habits and treatments that help treat yellow tongue also help prevent it.

Standard methods to deal with and save your yellow tongue include:

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When to Visit a Doctor?

You do not need medical help if a yellow tongue is your only symptom. However, you should seek a doctor's help if you experience the following symptoms:

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Tips for Preventing and Managing Yellow Tongue 

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Citations

Altered oral microbiota in chronic hepatitis B patients with different tongue coatings