Yellow Tongue: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

What is Yellow Tongue?

Yellow tongue, as its name suggests, is a yellow discolouration of the tongue. The exact appearance of a yellow coated tongue will differ depending on its underlying cause, but in many instances, you will see an accumulation of yellow particles around the centre of your tongue. This occurs when dead skin cells are trapped by papillae and then stained yellow by food or tobacco. 

A yellow tongue may also be patchier and more spread across the mouth; this tends to be due to a yeast infection. You may also notice yellow, stain-like patches within your mouth, and this can occur due to medications, drugs, or food.

Yellow Tongue Causes

If you are wondering ‘why is my tongue yellow?’, then sadly, there is not just one answer. There are several yellow tongue causes, some more common than others, including: 

• Poor Oral Hygiene: 

Not brushing your teeth regularly, or at all, can contribute to the buildup of unwanted particles and bacteria in the mouth. When these particles build up on the tongue and are not removed by typical oral hygiene measures, they can cause unwanted discolouration and a yellow tongue. Bacteria themselves are capable of releasing pigments that cause a yellow coated tongue, and certain foods can also stain particles on the tongue, causing them to turn yellow. 

• Tobacco Use: 

Regular users of tobacco will be familiar with its yellow staining effects but may not know that they are not limited to fingernails and furniture in the home. Certain chemicals in tobacco are capable of causing a yellow tongue and also increase your risk of contracting black hairy tongue. 

• Diet: 

A yellow tongue can also be caused by dietary choices. While not permanent, certain foods and drinks can stain your tongue and mouth yellow. Tea and coffee are common culprits, but some dyed foods and vitamin supplements can also lead to a yellow tongue. 

• Mouth Breathing: 

Mouth breathing can lead to an absence of saliva in your mouth, and when this happens, bacteria can build up more easily. These buildups can contribute to discolouration around the mouth and a yellow tongue. 

• Black Hairy Tongue: 

Our tongues are covered in tiny bumps called papillae, and these cells should shed over time. Sometimes, however, these cells do not shed and simply grow longer and longer, resulting in a hair-like appearance and the condition known as black hairy tongue. Unlike its name suggests, black hairy tongue does not just turn your tongue black, and due to the buildup of bacteria in longer, harder-to-clean papillae, it may result in a yellow tongue.  

• Geographic Tongue: 

A geographic tongue is the name given to a tongue missing patches of papillae. What causes geographic tongue is unknown, but it can lead to a bright red or yellow tongue.   

• Medication and Drug Use: 

Several medications and drugs are capable of causing a yellow tongue: 

• Antibiotics can cause oral thrush and a yellow tongue in turn. 

• Medications containing bismuth can cause a range of tongue discolouration, including black and yellow coated tongues. 

• Anti-malaria drugs, iron supplements, oral contraceptives, psychotropic drugs, and many others can also cause you to develop a yellow tongue. 

If your tongue turns yellow after beginning a new medication, consult your doctor to see if a yellow tongue is a potential side effect of the drug.   

• Jaundice: 

In rare cases, jaundice can be responsible for a yellow tongue. Jaundice is a condition that causes the skin and the whites of a person’s eyes to turn yellow due to a buildup of a chemical called bilirubin.  

What causes jaundice varies, but it can be an indication of diseases including cirrhosis, hepatitis, pancreatic or liver cancer, and problems in the bile duct. If you believe you have jaundice, you should seek medical attention immediately. 

• Autoimmune Conditions: 

Some autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis, can cause a yellow tongue. Psoriasis causes flaky skin around the body and can (in rare cases) affect the tongue too, manifesting in yellow or red patches.

Symptoms of Yellow Tongue

Generally speaking, a yellow tongue will be a symptom of another condition, rather than having symptoms itself. You may find that certain symptoms accompany your yellow tongue, these include: 

• Bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth 

• Tingling and burning on the tongue 

• A dry or sore mouth 

• A fever 

• A sore throat 

• White patches in the mouth 

• A change in taste 

If you notice any jaundice symptoms, including a yellowing of the skin, dark urine, fatigue, or vomiting, contact your doctor immediately. You should also visit a doctor if symptoms worsen for no apparent reason, you notice any symptoms of black hairy tongue, or your yellow tongue persists despite lifestyle changes.

Yellow Tongue Treatment and Diagnosis

A yellow tongue is diagnosed by a simple oral examination. Once this has been performed, a doctor will perform other necessary tests to determine the cause of the condition. 

Yellow tongue treatment is typically dependent on the cause of the condition, but your doctor or dentist is likely to recommend an improved oral hygiene routine regardless. Tongue scraping, brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing regularly will all help remove bacterial buildups and prevent them from reoccurring in future and causing a yellow tongue.  

Other yellow tongue treatments a doctor may recommend include: 

• Medicated mouth rinses to increase the amount of saliva you have and help combat dry mouth 

• Jaundice medications 

• A change in prescription, if medication is believed to be the cause of your yellow tongue 

• Nicotine replacement products, if smoking is contributing to your yellow tongue 

How to Prevent Yellow Tongue

In order to prevent yellow tongue, or a recurrence of it, there are several lifestyle changes you can implement, including: 

• Limiting your intake of foods that stain the mouth (tea, coffee, dyed yellow foods) 

• Improving your oral hygiene routine with fluoride toothpaste or a tongue scraper 

• Boosting your intake of fibre (which helps reduce bacteria in the mouth) 

• Regularly visiting the dentist for oral health check-ups and advice 

• Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco 

If, despite these changes, you still have a yellow tongue, contact your doctor as a more serious underlying condition may be causing your yellow tongue.  

Protect Your Oral Health with Oral-B

Proper oral hygiene is always important, but when living with a yellow tongue, it becomes more pressing. Taking care of your mouth and tongue with trustworthy products can help keep it clean and healthy. 

The Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrushes are designed to guide you to an effective clean. With round brush heads inspired by dentists, the iO Series targets plaque, helping reduce the buildup. 

For long-term results, combine effective brushing with regular flossing, tongue cleaning, and routine dental check-ups. Oral-B advocates for complete oral care, because a cleaner mouth means more confidence and better health.