Question 1

have a "white tongue" after taking an antibiotic.  requested my doctor prescribe nystatin "swish and swallow"; is this the right thing to do?

Accepted Answer

Likely: Sounds as if you have been down this road before. Often an antibiotic will alter the balance of the flora in the mouth and the fungus comes along and takes over. The nystatin is the typical treatment. You may also scrape your tongue with your brush, floss or a tongue scraper. Stick your tongue out, place the brush, etc. on back and pull tongue back in -- easier than opposite. Good Luck.

Question 2

i was wondering is it normal to have white tongue..?

Accepted Answer

White tongue?: All white? No. Slight white coating only on top, maybe. You need to be personally examined. Some white coatings are common and benign while others may reflect oral thrush, leukoplakia, lichen planus, or some other serious conditions. See a local oral surgeon for a diagnosis (and possible biopsy).

Question 3

is there a cure for white tongue ?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It would depend on why your tongue is white, how long it has been that way, and if there is any pain/soreness of the tongue.  Anything from an oral yeast infection to food to medications you may be taking can cause a white looking tongue.

Question 4

i have a white tongue can it be hiv?

Accepted Answer

: It sounds like you may have thrush. You should see your doctor to confirm that it is thrush and if so, have it treated. Thrush can be a sign of immunosuppression but there are other things that can cause thrush, like certain medications, for example. If you are concerned about HIV, your doctor can test you to rule it out. Good luck!

Question 5

does postnasal drip cause a white tongue?

Accepted Answer

Not usually: The nasal mucosa produces about a quart of mucus daily.  It goes down the throat and we swallow it.  I doubt this PND would cause discoloration of the tongue.  You need to rule out a fungal infection.  See Dentist or ENT doctor.

Question 6

is there a relation between bad breath and white tongue?

Accepted Answer

White Tongue?: White buildup on the tongue could contribute to some bad breath situations. Bad breath or halitosis can be caused by other conditions, such as gingivitis or gum disease, medications or medical problems, types of food in your diet, smoking, alcohol.   Your dentist can prescribe a treatment for halitosis after he/she determines the cause of the problem.

Question 7

i have white tongue and bad breath. what can i do to fix it?

Accepted Answer

White tongue: MAY mean a candida/yeast infection.  Please see your doc for diagnosis and treatment.  Probiotics can be helpful if so.  Doctor Ohira is a good brand.  Peace and good health.

Question 8

what causes chronic white tongue, it looks like yeast on tongue?

Accepted Answer

White tongue common: The tongue is known to have many variations with pigmenting, size, appearance, ; not always due to disease. Causes of a tongue that looks white include: lichen planus (responds to steroids), white sponge nevus (familial, benign, permanent), smoker's leukoplakia (2% risk of cancer, needs biopsy), hairy leukoplakia (due to epsteinbarr virus), warts (due to papillomavirus), "thrush" (rx antifungals).

Question 9

my eight week old has white  tongue with black spots on it what could this mean?

Accepted Answer

Thrush: This may be thrush which is a fungus. This is something you can discuss with your pediatrician.

Question 10

does my white tongue have to be due to hiv? i was recently check and was negative. can this still be due to hiv even if my test is negative?

Accepted Answer

Likely not: If you have thrush secondary to hiv, that insinuates a significant level of immune suppression already.  It would be highly unlikely for that level to be present without a positive HIV elisa.  Thrush is also adherent to the rest of your mouth as well, and not just your tongue.  If it is thrush, it is more likely secondary to recent antibiotic use.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

White tongue from antibiotics

A member asked:

Have a "white tongue" after taking an antibiotic. requested my doctor prescribe nystatin "swish and swallow"; is this the right thing to do?

A member asked:

I was wondering is it normal to have white tongue..?

A member asked:

Is there a cure for white tongue ?

A member asked:

I have a white tongue can it be hiv?

A member asked:

Does postnasal drip cause a white tongue?

A member asked:

Is there a relation between bad breath and white tongue?

A member asked:

I have white tongue and bad breath. what can i do to fix it?

A member asked:

What causes chronic white tongue, it looks like yeast on tongue?

A member asked:

My eight week old has white tongue with black spots on it what could this mean?

A member asked:

Does my white tongue have to be due to hiv? i was recently check and was negative. can this still be due to hiv even if my test is negative?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?