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What Could Cause Persistent Dry Mouth, Mostly In The Palate, And A White Coating On The Tongue For 6 Months?

Posted on Thu, 3 Oct 2019

Question: are there any ENT doctors that can answer my question? after a stressful situation (thought i got hiv from a blowjob) , i had 2 hiv tests.. all negative. but i have had persistant dry mouth (mostly the roof of my mouth) and hairy white tongue / coated tongue for 6 months. a search on google shows this seems to be a common problem.. whats wrong with me?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It’s a perfectly normal tongue

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting this query.

I have examined the image you have posted thoroughly and would like to reassure you that, it’s a perfectly normal tongue.

Dry mouth could be due to various reasons; to mention a few:
1. Reduced intake of water
2. Recurrent sinusitis/allergic rhinitis
3. Acid reflux disease
4. Smoking
5. Excess intake of coffee
6. Diabetes, etc.

Do not worry! The mild white coating over the tongue is perfectly normal. The residual coating could be either due to the intake of dairy products or reduced intake of water.

My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink frequent sips of warm water
2. Take fiber rich diet
3. Use saline nasal spray to keep the nose moist and reduce any nasal congestion.
4. Avoid smoking (if any)/excess dairy foods and fizzy drinks.

Hope this answers your query; I’ll be available for the follow-up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (11 minutes later)

i do have acid reflux more than normal, and i mouthe breathe at night lately. waking up to a completely dry tongue. i just want my hairy coated tongue to go away. scares me constantly that my tests were wrong and this is from hiv. i just started paxil yesterday

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Mouth breathing and acid reflux disease can cause dryness of the mouth

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back,

That says it all, your mouth breathing and acid reflux disease is the prime cause of your dryness of the mouth.

I feel you are unnecessarily worried about the things which you don’t have.

Take some potent ‘proton pump inhibitors’ such as Pantoperazole or Esomeprazole to control your acid reflux disease and use saline nasal spray. You will definitely get better.

Avoid unnecessary medicines and stress.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 days later)

Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It's a perfectly normal tongue

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

I have examined the image you have sent thoroughly and I am of the opinion that it is a perfectly normal tongue. I do not see any pathology involved in this.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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. Raju A.T