Definition
The yellow tongue may depend on multiple causes of varying degrees.
In most cases, this symptom is found for the excessive presence of bacteria, which manage to adhere to the papillae of the lingual mucosa, create a rough surface and produce pigments that form a yellowish patina. Often, this symptom indicates, therefore, a poor oral hygiene, but could also be associated simply with the consumption of some foods and drinks.
The frequent causes of this manifestation also include fever, oral breathing and dehydration.
The yellow tongue can also be induced by some pharmacological therapies (especially antibiotics) or by smoking.
If this manifestation is persistent, however, it could signal the presence of infections (eg thrush or reactions to piercings on the tongue), dietary deficiencies (especially of B vitamins and iron) or digestive problems (unbalanced diet, alterations of intestinal bacterial flora etc.). The formation of a yellowish patina on the tongue can also be associated with oral lichen planus and leukoplakia.
Rarely, a yellow color at the tip, center or back of the tongue may be associated with jaundice, which may indicate, in turn, problems with the liver or gall bladder.
Possible Causes * of Yellow Tongue
- Alcoholism
- Contact allergy
- Anemia
- Night apnea
- Gall bladder stones
- Candida
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Diabetes
- Gastritis
- Lichen planus
- Pellagra
- Syphilis
