Tongue coating

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Definition
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A coating of the tongue consisting of microorganisms, food residues, exfoliated horny cells and thread-like papillae of the tongue.

Therapy
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See Table 1.

Tables
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Etiology and therapy of the coating of the tongue

Tongue coating

Etiology

Therapy

Grey-white

Detritus masses due to elongation of the horny processes of the Papillae filiformes

Careful oral care and hygiene (e.g. brushing with a soft toothbrush), Vit.C lozenges

White

Candidosis of the oral mucosa, harmless in milk drinkers

S.u. Candidosis of the oral mucosa

Grey

E.g. in cases of anaemia, ventricular ulcers, organ tuberculosis

Causal therapy, treatment of the underlying systemic disease

Black

Chemical stimuli (smoking, spicy mouthwashes etc.), pigment-forming bacteria, fungi, nicotinic acid amide deficiency

S.u. hair tongue, black

Greyish yellowish

e.g. with intoxications

Detoxification if necessary