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Why Is My Tongues White/dry, The Dryness Comes And Goes.

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Posted on Wed, 12 Dec 2018
Question: Why is my tongues white/dry, the dryness comes and goes. i do consume marijuana daily for some time now also my lower left second molar tooth area, hurts (gum is above teeth) what are the causes, and how can i fix it? the web shows so stuff related to white dry tongue that its making me stressed out
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of marijuana

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I understand that the information online is abundant and many times scary. Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of using marijuana and when the tongue is dry it can also have color changes to white. If you have no other symptoms with the dry/white tongue then it is very likely an adverse effect of marijuana.

Drinking plenty (frequent small amount of water), and chewing gum might help with the dryness. Avoiding alcohol is important as well as it does cause loose of body liquids and may make you feel worse.

As for the tooth, the gum being above the teeth means that there is swelling around the tooth. Especially if this has been there for longer then a week and is not improving you will need to see a dentist to try to find the cause and give the right treatment.
Meanwhile trying to have good oral hygiene is important. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and using mouth wash might be helpful. Ibuprofen can be used if you have pain.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (34 hours later)
Hi thanks for ur answer, would u mind taking a look at the picture i have attached, just took it moments ago.. yesterday consuming milk(tea) caused color changes into yellow whick looked like oral thrush made me more nervous i clean my tongue and the sometimes i see white thing on the toothbrush aswell i am reducing the marijuana intake hope that will help it aswell
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I can't access the picture, some explanations given

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Unfortunately i am not able to see any uploaded images. I am not sure you have been able to upload it.

As for the oral thrush, it would cause you burning sensation in the mouth and the area around the white patches would be red and uncomfortable. Because you don't have redness, burning or pain in the tongue it is unlikely you have oral thrush.
On the other hand oral thrush does not happen in healthy adults. It happens in patients that use inhaled steroids for asthma, adults taking oral steroids for long time, in diabetes and in patients with immune deficiency like HIV. If you don't have these chronic conditions it is unlikely it is oral thrush.

It is good you do clean your tongue as it is important in the oral hygiene and sometimes it is normal to have the white things on the brush as well. Great choice with reducing the marijuana as i think it is affecting your tongue be dry and as a consequence it may get white as well.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (39 minutes later)
Thank You ! Again! here are the pictures I'm uploaded again
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Unfortunately I still can not access the picture

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I am not able to access any uploads still.

I am so sorry but I don't see uploaded pictures in the messages.You may alternatively mail the picture to YYYY@YYYY with subject as "Attn: Dr . Antoneta"

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (27 hours later)
Hi Dr I have Sent email thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There is no finding of candida infection in the pictures and no other abnormal findings

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Thank you for uploading the images, i was able to access all the 4 pictures.

By what i see there is no redness in your tongue and no typical white plaques that the candida infection can cause so i am pretty confident you don't have candida infection and there is nothing to worry about that.
I would say that the white on your tongue is a normal variation and I don't distinguish anything worrisome or that might need specific treatment. Just continue with reducing the dose of the marijuana because it is very likely the cause of the dry mouth and the changes and make sure you do have good oral hygiene with regular brushing (gently brushing the tongue as well), flossing and mouth washes. On the other hand try to not overdo these either because overdoing washing and brushing can cause local irritation in the tongue.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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Why Is My Tongues White/dry, The Dryness Comes And Goes.

Brief Answer: Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of marijuana Detailed Answer: Hello, I understand that the information online is abundant and many times scary. Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of using marijuana and when the tongue is dry it can also have color changes to white. If you have no other symptoms with the dry/white tongue then it is very likely an adverse effect of marijuana. Drinking plenty (frequent small amount of water), and chewing gum might help with the dryness. Avoiding alcohol is important as well as it does cause loose of body liquids and may make you feel worse. As for the tooth, the gum being above the teeth means that there is swelling around the tooth. Especially if this has been there for longer then a week and is not improving you will need to see a dentist to try to find the cause and give the right treatment. Meanwhile trying to have good oral hygiene is important. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and using mouth wash might be helpful. Ibuprofen can be used if you have pain. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj General & Family Physician