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What Causes Foul Taste In Mouth And Yellow Coating On Tongue?

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Posted on Thu, 19 Feb 2015
Question: I have a foul taste in my mouth and have developed a yellow coated tongue. The taste has been present for several mounts and my wife says I have no bad breath. The yellow coating is thick and I know that I take very good care of my teeth and mouth. I am not bothered with Acid Reflux and only have a occasional bit of heart burn. I am in good health otherwise for a 75 year old man...very active and on no medicines.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Try cleaning with tongue cleaner.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.

Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

1. Yellow coated tongue is rather unusual.
2. Its possible a coat of infection.
3. You can try cleaning it with a tongue cleaner or with a tooth brush. You can use baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid ingesting. Try to do it for a week. If it does not reduce, culture can be tried to identify for any infection.
4. Vit B12 supplements can be taken, as deficiency is rarely associated with yellow tongue.
5. Acid reflux can cause sour taste in mouth, which could be the cause of foul taste. You can take proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole or esmoprazole along with domperidone. Avoid lying down immediately after food intake.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)
Dr. XXXXXXX

I have used a tongue scraper, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and applied tea tree oil. All of these help to remove some of the yellow temporarily; I've got that; what I'm looking for is what is causing this and how to get rid of it altogether.
Can this be a symptom of an underlying problem? If so, what to do next?

Thanks for your help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Avoid breathing through mouth and control reflux completely

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for replying.

Except for jaundice, in which yellow tongue is seen, other causes are easily removable or can be scraped.

Few cases have been reported to be associated with reflux disease.

Possibly control of reflux disease through domperidone and proton pump inhibtor medications along with regular tongue cleaning through tongue scraper should help in getting rid of it.
Avoid breathing through mouth, as it can cause dryness and infection. If you seem to be snoring, will require therapy for that.
Your oral hygiene is good, so nothing further is necessary.

Bilirubin evaluation, if necessary can be done for jaundice.

Control of cause is important and until identified, difficult to get rid of it permanently. Regular tongue scraping, and control of few causes as discussed above could be helpful.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda

Geriatrics Specialist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2138 Questions

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What Causes Foul Taste In Mouth And Yellow Coating On Tongue?

Brief Answer: Try cleaning with tongue cleaner. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for asking. I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: 1. Yellow coated tongue is rather unusual. 2. Its possible a coat of infection. 3. You can try cleaning it with a tongue cleaner or with a tooth brush. You can use baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid ingesting. Try to do it for a week. If it does not reduce, culture can be tried to identify for any infection. 4. Vit B12 supplements can be taken, as deficiency is rarely associated with yellow tongue. 5. Acid reflux can cause sour taste in mouth, which could be the cause of foul taste. You can take proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole or esmoprazole along with domperidone. Avoid lying down immediately after food intake. Hope it helps. Any further queries, happy to help again. Dr. Prakash HM