![]() 1 It was designed to be used temporarily to help patients reverse gingivitis.Ĭhlorhexidine is a great bacterial killer. The good: When used as designedĬhlorhexidine was introduced into dentistry in 1954 as a broad-spectrum biocide effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. For the clinicians who use it, if we asked why, they probably wouldn’t say, “Because I love it!” Instead, they’d likely say things such as “There’s no alternative” or “I use it because it’s what I learned in school.” Yet, there is an alternative to chlorhexidine and, as most of us know, doing something just because you learned it in school isn’t always good enough.įor us to understand this controversial chemical’s place in dentistry, as well as possible alternatives, let’s take a hard look at chlorhexidine-the good, the bad, and the ugly. There are those who hate it and refuse to use it, and there are those who use it and choose to overlook the side effects. Given these characteristics, it’s no surprise clinicians generally fall into two camps on chlorhexidine. “Most will be nothing, but you must be sure.” (For more health news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our Daily Dose newsletter).When you hear the word chlorhexidine, these things probably come to mind: “At the end of the day, any strange white lesion that lasts more than two weeks should be evaluated by your dentist or physician,” says Dr. Plus, if the patch looks like there’s hair coming off it, it could point toward HIV or AIDS. Most leukoplakias are benign, but they’re occasionally cancerous and should be checked out by a doctor. On the other hand, if you have one white patch on the side or bottom of your tongue, this could be a leukoplakia, which usually results from tobacco use, according to the Mayo Clinic. If there’s a white line running down the side of your tongue, it might be “linea alba,” or scar tissue from biting your tongue while chewing or sleeping, Dr. This can look kind of weird, but it actually isn’t harmful, so you don’t have to do anything about it. How about if the whiteness isn't a uniform coating on your tongue, but instead pops up in a series of circles or rings? That could be a condition called “geographic tongue, ” which affects five to seven percent of people, says Dr. See a doctor to get medication for this and determine the underlying cause. You'll also likely see the white in other parts of your mouth or throat as well, and your tongue will be red, raw, and painful if you try to scrape off the white gunk off. If your white tongue is caused by thrush, you'll probably experience more than just a white film on your tongue. With your immune system compromised by these disorders, your body won’t be able to keep the fungus in check, so it can continue to multiply. This can stem from diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS. A white film on the tongue could be thrush, which comes from yeast or fungus overgrowth, says Dr. Sometimes, however, a white tongue can signal more than just regular plaque buildup. Play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play Keep your use of these drying products to a minimum. They can dry your mouth out, which can, again, make it hard to slough off the particles. You might want to avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes, too. If you're not well hydrated, you may not be producing enough saliva, which plays a vital role in helping wash that plaque away before it can start to build up. And make sure you're drinking enough, too. To stop the white stuff from building up-and to bring the surface of your tongue back to its healthy pink color-simply brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth, Dr. The longer you go without brushing, the thicker it gets and the harder it is to get off. On top of making your tongue white, this buildup can release sulfur, making your breath smell like rotten eggs, says Dr. This occurs when you don't brush your tongue regularly, and the buildup is not able to slough off (Here are 6 serious health problems your doctor can spot). ![]() Buildup from bacteria, food particles, dead skin, and other plaque can cause these to look white. Most likely, what you’re seeing are the papillae-the bumps on your tongue that stick up like carpet fibers, Dr. But this is common, and probably not a major health issue, says New York City-based cosmetic dentist Edward A. It can be alarming to notice your tongue has become white. Instead of the normal pink color, your tongue is now white instead. ![]() You're getting ready to brush your teeth, when you notice something a little different in the mirror. ![]()
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