Dental Monthly
FEBRUARY 2026 edition #52
WHITE TONGUE
“Do I have an iPad in my mouth and why do I have a White Tongue?”
Reader’s immediate comment: ”There’s no space in MY mouth for an iPad, so Dr. Moll you better start making sense with your Dental Monthly”
Doc: “Hold on, I’ll get to it.”
Inspired by Rebecca’s monthly column “The Colour Corner”, I wanted to talk about the colours of our mouth.
Starting with one of the most important structures:
The Tongue
This multi-tasking, complex muscular organ is crucial because it performs vital functions essential for the body’s survival and interaction with the world. That’s why, with every check-up, I also look at your tongue. The colour, the surface etc.
We all know that we form words and sounds for clear communication with the tongue, making our mouth the microphone of our brain….. Furthermore, it is the ultimate “Touch Screen” ever, because of its high sensitivity. Just like…. an iPad to start with.
Reader’s impatient comment: ”I still don’t see the iPad..”
What is most unexpected is the resemblance of the true surface of the tongue. The back of your tongue is rough because it is covered with salivary gland exits and other irregular soft tissue, the taste-buds. You can compare it to a Florentine cobbled stone street or a woolen sweater. And with higher magnification, it is just like a sea Anemone where Nemo-fish tend to dwell.
When we stretch out the real surface of our tongue, like a wet, woolen sweater hanging vertically to dry, it becomes as big as………. an iPad!!
So what does it mean when you have a WHITE TONGUE?
It means there are food remains, dead cells, bacteria, fungal and other unwanted life forms (think Nemo-fish) that have gotten stuck in between the “cobbled stones“ and have proliferated on the back of your tongue.
This is called “Lingual Coating”, or White Tongue, and is usually accompanied by bad breath – so you better do something about this. Clean the iPad in your mouth.
Don’ts
#1 Use mouth wash to clean. It does not remove any coating you might have from any surface in your mouth, and may be damaging to your oral-flora after prolonged use.
Do’s:
#1 Check the color of your tongue regularly. It is supposed to be palish pink. Not red or white or brown, which may indicate other health issues, aside from hygiene problems.
#2 Simply brush your tongue after your teeth and gums. The gag reflex will soon disappear, because you can easily condition that. The result? You will have the freshest breath.
So now you understand, that you have too have an iPad in your mouth and you’d better keep it clean!!!
For more information, reach out to Elena at one of the WIN meetings or via her contact info below.
Tune in to Studio Moll’s YouTube channel and here too.
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Referral to former issues of Dental Monthly:
BIO
Studio Moll Contact Details and Social Media
Whatsapp: 331-6368628 | Tel: 055-755347
www.dental-studiomoll.com | info@dental-studiomoll.com
By Dr. Elena Speranza Moll
Studio Moll
Via Amilcare Ponchielli 21B, 50018 Scandicci –Firenze
Tel: 055-755347
WhatsApp: 331-6362682