Reasons why a green coating forms on the tongue and how to deal with it
A green coating does not appear on the tongue for no reason., because this body is the very first to signal a malfunction in the human body. Remember how the doctor begins - the tongue is always examined first. We understand in practice why a plaque forms, and what diseases it indicates.
Content
The main symptoms
Because the the greenish tint of the tongue is the primary sign of the development or course of the disease, upon examination, it is identified by a number of signs: take into account the thickness and density of the film, evaluate the complexity of its separation from the surface of the mucous membrane of the tongue.
The main symptoms are:
- Thickness. The bulky layer of plaque indicates serious violations, since the pathogen has been in the body for a long time. A thin, mild plaque is often the result of infections (viruses, colds).
- Ease of separation. Soft and loose in structure plaque is easily removed, which indicates the initial stage of the disease. The manifestation of a severe pathology is indicated by a dense coating, which is removed with great difficulty.
- Consistency. Plaque can be dry, greasy, viscous, wet or curd.
When examining a patient, the doctor first of all looks at the color of the tongue, so on the day of admission, any coloring products should be excluded from the diet.
Reasons for the appearance of a greenish plaque in the tongue
The presence in the language of a thin coating of light shades after sleep is a physiological norm. In 2 minutes, this issue is resolved by morning oral hygiene, returning a healthy pink color to the body.
Periodically, the shade of the film covering the tongue can change even in the absence of serious disorders in the body. Sometimes this is due to a change in the climatic zone, the time of year, or an increase in body temperature for colds. In such cases, there is no cause for concern.
If the plaque has acquired an unnatural color and for a long time “decorates” the language, specialist advice is necessary. A greenish plaque can occur due to either poor care of the oral cavity, or serious violations in the work of internal organs.
Why green is the most common reason:
- Fungal affection. The causative agents of mycotic diseases of the oral cavity are fungi, most often Candida albicans. With a decrease in immunity, they begin to multiply actively, covering individual sections or the entire surface of the tongue. Fungal plaque is similar to green mold that appears on spoiled bread.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The plaque density can be used to judge the severity of the current disease. With a running state, noticeable cracks form on the surface of the tongue.
- Poor oral care. Superficial brushing of teeth and tongue leads to plaque. Careful care and a visit to a hygienist once a year is a reliable shield against such unpleasant consequences.
- Poor nutrition and lack of vitamins. To get rid of the manifestation, it is enough to adhere to a healthy diet and enrich the food with useful trace elements. If the problem persists, it is advisable to visit a doctor.
- Long-term use of antibiotics. The powerful effect of drugs not only destroys the pathogenic microflora, but also suppresses the beneficial.As a result, the active reproduction of fungi and the development of candidomycotic glossitis.
- Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). A dark green coating on the tongue can occur as a result of constantly taking drugs that suppress the immune system.
- Bad habits. Smoking and alcohol contribute to the formation of bad breath and a layer of "sewage" on the tongue. Similar effects are provoked by drug use.
A green-yellow hue of the tongue warns of diseases of the digestive and urinary systems. Usually, it indicates excess bile accumulated in the gallbladder area.
Green plaque on the tongue in children
Do not panic if the tongue turns green in the child. Try to remember what he ate in the next 2-3 hours. If the food contained dyes (chewing marmalade, drinks), there is no reason to worry. If the origin of the greenish film is unknown, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor.
Particular attention is required by infants in whom the green color of the tongue is a harbinger of painful conditions. Reasons may be serious:
- inflammation of the duodenum;
- increased acidity of the stomach.
Often in infants, against the background of weak immunity, a fungal disease of the oral cavity occurs - candidiasis (thrush). The plaque in this case is usually white, but regardless of the color, it requires an examination by a doctor.
Yellow-green tongue coating
A pale yellow bloom without greenish tones is an acceptable norm. However, in the case of a saturated color of plaque in the tongue, when the yellow-green color begins to prevail, it is worth checking the condition of the digestive system.
Why is the tongue green with an admixture of yellow:
- The problem in the work of the biliary tract (stagnant processes).
- Impaired liver function. Including hepatitis of any stage.
- A yellow-green tongue with a brown tint is found in smokers. A similar pattern occurs with alcohol abuse, as well as with pneumonia.
- With a violation in the work of the adrenal glands, the amount of bilirubin in the body increases. Bilirubin is a bile pigment that can give the tongue a specific color. A similar effect occurs in acute intestinal diseases.
- The development of viral or infectious conditions, including fungal nature.
In some cases, the cause of the appearance of yellow-green plaque in the language of an adult or child is the treatment with medications. Such side effects are exerted by drugs like Furazolidone and Furadonin. As soon as the treatment ends, the color of the taste organ returns to normal.
White-green tongue coating
If the plaque formed after a night's sleep and has a white-gray tint, you should not worry - this phenomenon speaks of the normal physiology of a person. Such plaque is easily removed after thorough brushing of the teeth and surface of the tongue. Another thing is if the white-green or white-gray coating is not peeled off and significantly increases. This phenomenon is an occasion to contact a specialist who can identify and timely eliminate the cause of its occurrence.
The reasons for the white-green plaque in the language can be:
- Inflammation of the stomach (atrophy of the mucous membrane).
- Duodenal ulcer.
- Different stages of gastritis.
- Inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.
Sometimes a white-green plaque signals a possible disease of the kidneys or organs of the respiratory system. In advanced cases, constipation and an increase in body temperature often occur - sure signs of rapid intoxication of the body.
Dark green tongue coating
Specific dark green plaque in the tongue is a rare phenomenon that indicates serious illness or a whole group of disorders in individual body systems.
The reasons for staining the tongue in dark green shades are:
- Severe dehydration, which increases blood acidity.
- Failure of the gallbladder, ducts, pancreas.
- Crohn's disease. It leads to a malfunction in the hormonal system and impaired adrenal function, which is expressed in the dark green color of the tongue.
- Cholera. Acute intestinal infection stains plaque in a dark green tint, very close to black.
Gray-green plaque in the tongue
The gray-green plaque in the tongue is the result of an imbalance in the human body, which for many years ignored a healthy diet or ate very poorly. If there is a gray-greenish plaque, you should consult a therapist and a gastroenterologist who will help establish the cause of the disease and cure the affected internal organ, returning the tongue to a healthy pink color.
Possible reasons for staining the tongue in gray-green color:
- Digestive ulcers.
- Respiratory system diseases.
- Exhausted body condition.
- Low immune defense.
Often, the tongue acquires a gray-green hue due to a lack of plentiful drinking, provided that the person eats too much salty food.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment of plaque in the language is aimed at eliminating the cause of its occurrence. Therefore, before proceeding with it, it is necessary to consult a therapist, and then undergo the prescribed examinations, on the basis of which the doctor will be able to determine why a green coating has formed on the tongue. The main thing is not to delay the visit to the clinic, otherwise it will take a long time to treat the pathology.
To prevent pathology, dentists recommend rinsing your mouth with a decoction of calendula flowers. This is a powerful natural antiseptic that effectively fights pathogens. If there is no calendula, the analogue in tablets is suitable - Furacilin.
The reasons for the appearance of plaque in the language are many. Therefore, treatment without medical diagnosis may be not so much useless as simply harmful.