How Can I Get Rid of My White Tongue and BAD Breath?

Updated on February 25, 2014
J.N. asks from Lafayette Hill, PA
12 answers

I have on going sinus problems. I gave up drinking milk and cut down dramatically on bread products. I brush my teeth brush my tongue. Use mouth wash. Occasionally spray hydrogen peroxide on my tongue. This works for a temp solution. Help.

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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

When was the last time you did a really good nutritional, cellular cleanse?
I will PM you the link to the lady I work with.

This all comes from the inside. Even by cutting down on that stuff, you are still holding on to it from the past. A good nutritional cleanse at the cellular level should help.

B.

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M.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would double check to make sure you don't have thrush or carry strep. A white tongue is a symptom of both.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Try oil pulling. Google it for more info. It sounds weird, but it's wonderful! Basically, you swish an organic oil (I use coconut but others use sesame and olive, which also have antibacterial, antimicrobial properties) around in your mouth for up to 20 minutes and then spit it out (into the trash so you don't clog your sink). You can start with 5 minutes and work your way up. While the oil is in your mouth, it's attacking plaque and bacteria on your teeth, gums, and mouth and is "pulling" toxins out through you mouth. The first time I tried it, I could literally feel my sinuses start to drain. Within a couple of days, the chronic swelling and inflammation of my gums was noticeably reduced and my gums stopped bleeding when I flossed. I do it for 20 minutes in the morning when I first get up and my teeth feel smoother and less "plaquey" all day, and my sinuses are clear.

Another thing to try is tongue scraping - it's also a way to detox your body via your mouth.

ETA: If you have thrush, oil pulling with coconut oil (which is anti fungal) will not only cure it in your mouth, it will help with the candida die-off from your gut. Do have this checked out because it could be a sign of candida overgrowth elsewhere (in your digestive tract) that needs to be treated. If it's thrush, incorporate oil pulling into your treatment.

2 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Jan,

you need to see your doctor. to be honest, it sounds like thrush.

You will need an antibiotic and you will need to make sure the thrush is gone..that means throwing out your tooth brush and thoroughly cleaning any appliance (mouth gear if you play sports, retainers if you have had braces, etc.) or cups that have touched your mouth...this also means getting rid of lipstick, chapstick or anything you have used on your mouth or lips.

If you still have your tonsils - go to an ENT to discuss the options of having them removed.

Make sure you FLOSS your teeth and use a really good mouth wash like Listerine. The stuff between your teeth can give you bad breath as well.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Are you sure you don't have thrush?
A little Monistat might help clear that up if that's part of the problem.

I've never heard of oil pulling - I'll have to look that one up.

A tongue scrapper/cleaner works better to clean your tongue that brushing it.
I use this (I tried several and I like the stainless steel version best):

http://www.vitacost.com/dr-tungs-stainless-steel-tongue-c...

Do you still have your tonsils?
Tonsil stones can really smell bad.

Use a neti pot to rinse out your sinuses with warm saline - it does help to keep the breath a bit fresher.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.F.

answers from Rochester on

I second the suggestion for oil pulling! I've heard, though, that you shouldn't use olive oil because it can turn your teeth green. I don't know if it's true or not, but I'm not willing to take the chance! :)

I use coconut oil for pulling, as J B. suggested.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Sounds like thrush. Ok, I admit, that I am basically terrified of thrush because my daughter and I had it FOREVER when I was breastfeeding her. See a doctor to confirm.However, this sounds like thrush.

It does thrive off sugar. Getting rid of bread is a good start. You may need to radically reduce or even completely eliminate both added sugar and naturally high sugar foods from your diet.

Use probiotics like yogurt to add good "bugs" that will help clear up your system.

At least throw out your toothbrush. Buy a bunch of cheap ones and use a different one each day,then boil once a week.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from St. Louis on

This sounds like a yeast related issue. Do you have a tongue scraper? If not, go buy one. Start there and remove the plaque-like film that has built up on the tongue. If nothing comes off or the tongue bleeds at all, this would be thrush and the only way to get rid of this is oral prescription medication. If this is the case, yeast is probably running rampant in your gut and may also be the cause of the sinus issues as well. Yeast is hard to get rid of but it can be done. Once it grabs hold, it is a wiley coyote that usually has episodes of recurrence if you don't change your diet. Sugar and high carb diets feed yeast and make it thrive. An imbalance of good bacteria in the gut...aka...probiotics, is also a reason that yeast proliferates. Visit your doctor and dentist. Have blood taken and tested for Candida Albicans. If it comes back positive, ask for treatment. You would be surprised how good you will feel when this clears up. Yeast is responsible for white tongue, bad breath, sinus problems, joint pain, bowel issues, rashes, night sweats, and so much more. Good luck and feel better soon!

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Dallas on

Use a tongue cleaner (tongue scraper). They're GREAT for this exact reason (white tongue and bad breath). I use one every morning and sometimes at night. You can even pick one up at a dollar store in the dental hygiene section. Quick, cheap, easy. Good luck!

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F.B.

answers from New York on

Might be worth your while to go to an accupressure/ accupuncture practitioner. They look at the tongue as a diagnostic tool and can help identify underlying issues which are causing your white film and bad breath.

Best,
F. B.

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A.M.

answers from Charlotte on

There is a tongue scraper near toothbrushes in the pharmacy. That plus Listerine cured my husband.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Do you take an inhaler for asthma or allergies? This can cause this. If yes, try rinsing or drinking some water right after you take your medicine.

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