Yellow Tongue

Yellow discoloration of your tongue — or yellow tongue — is usually a harmless and temporary condition. A yellow tongue can mean many things. But it most often happens when dead skin cells get trapped in tiny, hair-like projections on your tongue called papillae. The dead skin cells build up. Things like food and tobacco can stain the cells odd colors (like yellow).

Taking better care of your oral hygiene usually gets rid of a yellow tongue in this case.

Rarely, a yellow coating on your tongue means something more serious, like jaundice or an autoimmune disease. If this is the case, a healthcare provider can prescribe treatments that can help.

Symptoms of yellow tongue

Usually, the only symptom is a tongue with a yellow coating. Depending on what’s causing it, you may also have:

• Bad breath
• Changes to your sense of taste
• Dry mouth
• Fever
• Mouth pain, including burning sensations
• Sore throat

Yellow tongue causes

Yellow tongue may indicate a condition called black hairy tongue. This syndrome occurs when a protein called keratin builds up on the surface of your tongue.

Sometimes, an overgrowth of bacteria on your tongue is the cause. This buildup can make your tongue appear hairy.

Other causes include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Tobacco use
• Geographic tongue
• Foods that stain your tongue yellow
• Certain medicines, including antibiotics
• Mouthwash ingredients, like alcohol, chlorhexidine and menthol

Sometimes, yellow tongue indicates an underlying medical condition, like:

• Autoimmune diseases: People with autoimmune diseases have weakened immune systems. This can make it hard for your body to fight germs that can cause yellow tongue.
• Gastritis: Inflammation of your stomach lining can lead to yellow tongue. This is especially the case if the bacteria Helicobacter pylori caused the inflammation.
• Psoriasis: This condition causes flaky, scaly skin. It may also result in yellow patches on your tongue.
• Jaundice: Rarely, yellow tongue is a symptom of jaundice. If you have jaundice, a yellow chemical compound called bilirubin builds up in your blood. It can cause yellow skin (including the skin on your tongue) and a yellowing of the whites of your eyes. This buildup may signal liver damage or dysfunction.
• Type 2 diabetes: A recent study shows that people with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to have high levels of Lactobacillus bacteria in their gut and on their tongue. The bacteria sometimes appear yellow.

How doctors diagnose this condition

Often, dentists find yellow tongue symptoms during routine dental exams. Routine dentist visits are your first line of defense against issues that affect your teeth, gums and tongue.

How do you get rid of a yellow tongue?

In most cases, proper oral hygiene practices get rid of yellow tongue. A toothbrush or tongue scraper may help remove buildup on the surface of your tongue.

If your yellow tongue is a sign of a medical condition, your healthcare provider will suggest treatments to address it.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Reach out to a provider if you:

• Continue to have yellow tongue after improving your oral hygiene or quitting smoking
• Develop worsening or new symptoms, like mouth or tongue pain
• Notice symptoms of jaundice, including yellowish whites of your eyes and yellow skin

What can I expect if I have this condition?

Yellow tongue is usually harmless and goes away with good oral hygiene.

When yellow tongue is a sign of a serious medical condition, your outlook depends on what’s causing it. Managing the condition usually improves symptoms.

Can I prevent yellow tongue?

Usually, yes. Proper oral hygiene is the best way to prevent yellow tongue. For best results, you should:

• Brush your teeth two to three times a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss between your teeth once daily.
• Swish with an alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash twice a day.
• Use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to remove dead cells and bacteria from your tongue.
• Visit a dentist for routine exams and cleanings (every six months or according to the schedule your dentist recommends).

Finally, if you smoke, talk to a healthcare provider about ways to stop.

Does yellow tongue mean liver failure?

It’s possible but not common. One of the first signs of liver disease is jaundice, or yellowing of your skin. It happens when your liver is unable to get rid of bilirubin, a yellow substance in your blood. The yellowing is usually more noticeable in your skin and eyes. Rarely, it can affect your tongue.

If the only symptom is a yellow tongue, the problem likely has more to do with your dental routine than your liver. Liver failure usually involves other symptoms, like nausea, vomiting and belly pain.