Debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.
Some other causes of coated white tongue are accumulation of keratin or dead skin cells on the surface of tongue, tobacco abuse, consumption of extremely hot foods or beverages etc. Abnormal buildup of keratin is generally caused by dehydration as it tends to dry out saliva, thereby making the tongue dry. The coating can also be yellow or brown in color. In severe cases, coated tounge may appear as though it is covered with fur or hair (Hairy Tongue). Coated tongue causes no pain in most of the cases. The condition is more common in infants, people wearing dentures and individuals with weakened immune system. In many cases, a white coating on the tongue is caused by a layer of dead skin cells and debris that can be cleaned or scraped off the tongue. Some common conditions that lead to a visible white layer include dehydration, poor oral hygiene, excessive alcohol use, and smoking tobacco.  As it is mostly caused by overgrowth of fungus called Candida, this condition is also referred to as Candidiasis of the mouth and throat. The presence of white patches on the surface of the tongue and bad breath are the most common white coated tongue symptoms. The coating can also be yellow or brown in color. In severe cases, coated tounge may appear as though it is covered with fur or hair (Hairy Tongue). Coated tongue causes no pain in most of the cases. The condition is more common in infants, people wearing dentures and individuals with weakened immune system. Symptoms : The tongue gets coated with tiny white or yellow coating due to bacterial infection. For severe case of infection it can cause tongue pain and bad breathe. You will get burning sensation and pain if white covering is due to yeast infection like oral thrush.  Whitening of the tongue can occur when there is a buildup or coating of bacteria and debris on the surface of the tongue due to mild dehydration, illness (when there is less use of the tongue for talking or eating), or dryness of the mouth.  There are a number of things that can cause a whitish coating or white spots to develop on the tongue, including the f ollowing: 1  Leukoplakia. 2  This condition causes cells in the mouth to grow excessively. 3  That, in turn, leads to the formation of white patches inside the mouth, including on the tongue.  Causes. White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae. Causes of papillae hypertrophy or inflammation include, for example: 1  Poor oral hygiene. 2  Dry mouth A white coating on the tongue may indicate a variety conditions, ranging in severity from a simple dental hygiene issue to a precancerous growth. An overgrowth of yeast is a leading cause of a white coating on the tongue. If you develop a white coating on the tongue, see your doctor to determine the cause and best course of action. Two other common causes of a white tongue are not due to a disease but lifestyle factors. Smoking irritates the lining of the mouth, which can cause it to turn white. This cause of a white coating on the tongue typically goes away once tobacco use is stopped. Tongues that have a white coating are caused by the inflammation of the papillae of the tongue. These are the projections on the tongue surface that are finger-like. Causes of inflammation include: 1  Excessive use of alcohol. 2  Dehydration. 3  Excessive breathing by mouth. 4  Smoking. 5  Fever.  The tongue appears to have a thick, white coating due to inflammation and trapped particles, such as dead cells and bacteria. The causes of a white tongue coating are varied. Usually, white tongue poses little concern and may be caused by dehydration, mouth breathing, medications, alcohol use, smoking, or fever. To treat this form of coated tongue, brush or scrape your tongue. Drinking extra water may help if dehydration is a cause. You can prevent white tongue through eliminating excessive alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, breathing through your nose, and practicing good oral hygiene.
http://www.speedyremedies.com/white-coated-tongue-causes-and-treatment.html http://www.healthgrades.com/symptoms/white-tongue--causes http://www.speedyremedies.com/white-coated-tongue-causes-and-treatment.html http://diseasespictures.com/white-coating-on-tongue/ http://www.medicinenet.com/white_tongue/symptoms.htm http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1177942/what-causes-white-tongue http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/white-tongue/basics/causes/SYM-20050676 http://www.livestrong.com/article/248390-what-causes-a-white-coating-on-the-tongue/ http://byebyedoctor.com/white-coating-on-tongue/ http://www.healthguideinfo.com/digestive-conditions/p83328/
what causes white coated tongue