{"id":216,"date":"2018-03-10T13:19:52","date_gmt":"2018-03-10T13:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentalgroupwest.com\/blog\/?p=216"},"modified":"2021-08-30T15:17:12","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T15:17:12","slug":"why-is-my-tongue-orange-your-family-dentist-in-toledo-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentalgroupwest.com\/blog\/why-is-my-tongue-orange-your-family-dentist-in-toledo-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is My Tongue Orange? Your Family Dentist in Toledo Answers!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"orange<\/a>Everything from orange popsicles to gelatins to hard candies can give your tongue a very distinct, warm hue, but what if your tongue has changed colors and you haven\u2019t <\/em>eaten any of these foods? Should you be concerned? According to your family dentist in Toledo, there are numerous factors that can cause the tongue to turn orange, and some may actually indicate an underlying medical condition. What are they? Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n

Poor Oral Hygiene<\/h2>\n

Just like your teeth and gums, food debris and bacteria can accumulate on your tongue if you don\u2019t regularly brush. Items like coffee and tobacco in particular can cause the tongue to appear orange if the mouth isn\u2019t consistently cleaned.<\/p>\n

Dry Mouth<\/h2>\n

Severe dry mouth, known as xerostomia, is a very common side effect of some medications, and this can lead to a buildup of bacteria in the mouth that eventually changes the color of the tongue. Left alone, this bacteria can lead to oral decay as well.<\/p>\n

Oral Thrush<\/h2>\n

This is an oral yeast infection that occurs when too much of the fungi Candida<\/em> is allowed to collect on the tongue, causing it to appear yellow or orange. Oral thrush can be found in patients of all ages, particularly those who take steroid medications or who have weakened immune systems. Even infants can develop oral thrush if they are on antibiotics.<\/p>\n

Excess Beta Carotene<\/h2>\n

Beta carotene is what gives foods like carrots and oranges their distinct color. Eating enough foods that are rich in beta carotene can cause the tongue and even the skin to turn orange, which is a condition called carotenemia<\/em>. It is most commonly found in infants and young children who consume a lot of mashed carrots. Fortunately, while off-putting, carotenemia is harmless, and it should go away if a person simply eats less beta carotene-rich foods.<\/p>\n

Foods that have a high amount of beta carotene include:<\/p>\n