8 Causes & Fixes for Orange Tongue

The natural color of our tongue is pinkish. Most of the times, a change in the color of the tongue need not necessarily indicate something to worry about. However, there are some cases where an orange colored tongue could be a cause for concern.

Sometimes our tongue can have a different colored tint to it. The reasons for an orange colored tongue are many, which include. something which you have eaten recently, such as orange colored hard candy or Popsicle etc.

Sometimes, some medical conditions can also lead to an orange tongue. These conditions, which cause orange tongue include thrush, acid reflux or vitamin deficiencies.

Accumulation of yeast and bacteria on the surface of the tongue also give your tongue an orangish hue. The substances released by yeast and bacteria lends your tongue an orange or yellowish color.

The Fix. If brushing and cleaning your tongue does not remove the orange color from your tongue, then you need to consult your doctor to take the appropriate antifungal or antibiotic medication to get rid of the infection and get your tongue from orange to pink.

Dead cells can accumulate anywhere on your body, including your tongue. You need to clean your tongue regularly along with your teeth to maintain the tongue’s healthy pink color. When dead cells accumulate on the tongue from poor oral hygiene, then it leads to trapping of food particles on the tongue and eating some orange colored food gives your tongue an orange coated appearance.

The Fix. You need to clean your tongue daily along with your teeth. Using a mouthwash also helps in keeping your tongue clean and in the pink of health.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach acids regurgitate back into your esophagus. Some of the symptoms of GERD include. heartburn, a sour taste in mouth, difficulty in swallowing, pain with swallowing, bad breath, burping and nausea or vomiting. Due to GERD, your tongue can take on an orange or white coating.

The Fix. You can try some lifestyle changes to treat your GERD, which in turn will treat your orange tongue. These lifestyle changes include. avoiding heavy, fatty and greasy meals, avoiding tight fitting clothes, eating healthy food etc. To get rid of GERD, you can take antacids, H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors, as recommended by your doctor. Once your GERD is relieved, the problem of orange tongue also goes away.

Accumulation of Candida albicans, which is a fungus, inside of your mouth is called thrush. The appearance of thrush is characterized cheesy-looking, white colored cluster of sores on the tongue and the inside of the cheeks. However, if there is any bleeding from these sores, then it can cause your tongue to turn into orange color.

The Fix. You need to take antifungal medications to get rid of the Candida fungus and the orange color from your tongue.

Taking certain antibiotics can disturb the equation of bacteria and fungi etc. in the mouth and can lead to an orange colored tongue.

The Fix. ONCE you have completed your course of antibiotics, the orange color in your tongue also resolves. Taking probiotics also help in restoring the bacterial balance in your body and relieves the orange color from your tongue.

Allergies can also cause orange tongue. The allergens include mold, pollen or some foods, which can cause temporary change in your tongue color to orange.
Other symptoms of allergies are. runny nose, sneezing, itchy and runny eyes, skin rashes, swelling of mouth or face, wheezing or trouble breathing, nausea and diarrhea.

The Fix. The best way to treat an orange tongue caused by allergy is to avoid the allergen, which is triggering your allergy. In case of severe allergy, you need to consult your doctor for the right medications or allergy shots.

Deficiency of nutrients and vitamins can also cause an orange colored tongue along with soreness and cracks in your tongue.

The Fix. Start taking a healthy diet comprising of all food categories, especially fruits and vegetables. You can also take vitamin supplements prescribed your doctor to treat your vitamin deficiency and to treat your orange tongue.

Sensitivity to mold can also cause orange tongue in some people. Other symptoms of mold sensitivity include. wheezing, coughing, scratchy throat, eye irritation and nasal congestion.

The Fix. Avoid exposure to the mold by keeping your house clean and preventing new mold growth. Always keep the damp areas in your home, such as bathroom or kitchen well ventilated to avoid mold. You should also lower the humidity of your home to get rid of mold. You also need to clean the mold from the surfaces by using mold-killing products. Do fix any leaks to prevent any outside moisture from getting inside. Consult your doctor if your tongue persists with the orange color.

You also need to consult your doctor if you are experiencing the following symptoms along with an orange tongue. shortness of breath, rashes, chest pain and bleeding sores.

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