As all parents know, there's nothing predictable about caring for a newborn. If your baby has a white tongue, you might be wondering if something is wrong. It may be thrush, the common yeast infection that presents as a white film on your baby's tongue, or it could simply be milk residue from a recent feeding. Learn about the potential causes of a white tongue so you can more confidently care for your infant's oral health.
Common Causes of a White Tongue
According to the Mayo Clinic, a white tongue is the result of debris, dead cells or fungi building up between the bumps (called papillae) on the surface of your tongue. In adults, the causes of a white tongue include dehydration, poor oral hygiene, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. White patches on the tongue and elsewhere in the mouth that can't be rubbed off can indicate thrush at any age. On the whole, however, if your baby has a white tongue, milk residue is the most common culprit.
Signs of Thrush
White film that doesn't wipe away easily with a cloth may be a case of thrush. Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast and may appear as milky white patches inside your baby's mouth. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that thrush rarely appears exclusively on the tongue and will often coat the parts of the mouth your baby uses to suck like the inner and outer lips and inner cheeks.
Thrush in babies can cause irritability, a general fussiness and aversion to sucking or feeding. However, most infants experience little discomfort and moderate symptoms, notes the AAP. You should seek treatment as soon as possible, particularly if your newborn is struggling to latch or refusing to eat.
Luckily, with the guidance of a pediatrician, thrush is easily treatable. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal treatment to be applied directly to the white patches, according to Seattle Children's Hospital. The medication is no longer effective when it's swallowed, so leave the medication to sit in the mouth and avoid feeding for 30 minutes. Your doctor will advise you on how frequently to apply the antifungal, though it may be up to four times a day for a week. Thrush usually resolves in four to five days.
The doctor may check the mother's nipples for signs of thrush and prescribe a topical cream to prevent the mother and her baby from passing the infection back and forth.
Whether your baby is breastfed or formula fed, you'll likely notice a milky white glaze on their tongue after a long feeding. Formula tends to have a brighter appearance, while breast milk may be less noticeable. No matter how you feed your baby, wipe your infant's mouth with a clean, damp cloth or gauze immediately after each feeding to start them on a lifetime of sound daily oral care. One of the best steps you can take to prevent thrush is to carefully clean your baby's mouth, the breasts and your feeding equipment like bottles and breast pumps. Take extra care while breastfeeding to avoid dry or cracked nipples, which can create an environment for yeast to thrive.
If your baby does develop a case of thrush, don't worry. Most infections will go away in a few days with the proper care and treatment.