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What Causes Thick Yellowish Coating On Tongue And Dry Throat?

Posted on Tue, 15 Dec 2015

Question: My tongue has a thick yellowish coating and my throat is extremely dry. I tried brushing it but it isnt coming off.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Might be due to poor hygiene or other causes..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain Yellowish coating over tongue is commonly not harmful and can occur due to a number of causes like Poor Oral hygiene, dry mouth, bacterial overgrowth over tongue surface, taking soft diet always, intake of antibiotics or other Medication, acid reflux etc..

While in case of it is thick cheesy yellowish white coating it can be due to fungal infection known as Oral Thrush..

A proper clinical examination is a must for a confirmatory diagnosis..

I would also like to know a bit more about your complain so that I can guide you better..

1.Since how long is the coating present?
2.Is the dryness in throat is associated with dryness in mouth also?
3.For how long do you have a dry throat?
4.Are you taking any Medication?
5.Is there presence of any soreness, burning or pain in tongue also present?

Kindly answer so that I can guide you well towards treatment..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (35 minutes later)

What would be considered poor hygiene? I brush my teeth daily, floss and rinse with listerine as well as visit the dentist regularly just 4 weeks ago to be exact. It happened tonight around 11pm. I felt stuff on my tongue and was able to spit stuff out so i went in the bathroom and seen my tongue. I meant dryness of the mouth not throat. I was given antibotics for sinutis this past weekend. There's just a tingling sensation and i think thats because i was scrubbin my tongue so hard. Some of it has come off. g

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most probable chances are of yeast infection known as Thrush..

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome again,

Since you have an history of antibiotic use for treating infection, this yellow coating perhaps may be related to oral yeast infection known as Oral Candidiasis or Oral Thrush. Without a clinical examination, I cannot confirm this diagnosis. However your description, the dryness and the recent antibiotic use points towards thrush.

Antibiotics can cause disruption of good bacteria that is present in mouth along with harmful bacteria. In the absence of good bacteria fungus grow in large number and cause infection and is present in the form of yellowish white cheesy coating, sore tongue and dry mouth.

It would be beneficial to consult an Oral Physician who can evaluate the problem and confirm the possibility. If thrush is confirmed, you will be advised to take anti-fungal medications like Nystatin mouthwash to gargle and Clotrimazole lozenges to be sucked.

In the meanwhile take more of probiotics like Yoghurt and garlic.
Drink plenty of water.

Any further queries are welcome..

Wishing you a sooner recovery and a good health..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad