Yellow tongue is a typically harmless condition caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene and certain lifestyle habits. However, yellowing of the tongue can also result from some medical conditions that require treatment.

Your tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae. Sometimes, especially when dead cells accumulate on your tongue, these bumps can become discolored and give your tongue a yellowish hue.

This article provides an overview of several possible causes of yellow tongue, when to contact a doctor, and steps you might take to get rid of yellow tongue.

Yellow tongue appears like a coating on top of your tongue. Your tongue may have small blotches of yellow, or large parts of the tongue might appear yellowish.

Many factors can cause your tongue to look yellow. Yellow tongue itself is a harmless condition. However, it can also be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires medical treatment.

Below are some common causes of yellowing of the tongue.

Hairy tongue is a noncancerous condition in which the bumps on your tongue become longer and your tongue develops a carpet-like appearance. It often looks black but can also be yellow, brown, or green.

Causes of hairy tongue include:

• lack of oral hygiene
• use of tobacco products
• high consumption of coffee or tea
• alcohol consumption
• cocaine use
• Certain medications, including some types of antibiotics
• dry mouth, which may be due to an underlying condition, medication, or treatment, such as radiation therapy
• soft diet consumption, which can reduce the natural shedding of papillae on the tongue

Learn more about black hairy tongue, including risk factors and treatments.

Geographic tongue is another noncancerous condition that causes discoloration on the tongue. You may see red areas with a whitish or yellowish border, resembling a map.

Symptoms sometimes include a burning sensation. It is unclear what causes geographic tongue, and there is currently no treatment. Symptoms tend to come and go sporadically.

Jaundice is a yellowing of areas of the body as a result of having too much bilirubin in your blood. This can include the tongue.

Bilirubin is a pigment that your liver produces. An excess of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice, can indicate a potentially serious liver condition. Contact a doctor if you develop symptoms of jaundice.

Learn more about jaundice, including what it means in newborn babies.

Oral thrush, also called oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by excess yeast growth in the mouth. Symptoms can include yellow or white patches on the mouth and tongue.

Learn more about oral thrush symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Certain oral care products that contain the ingredients peroxide, witch hazel, or chlorhexidine can cause yellow tongue.

Check the packaging on toothpastes and mouthwashes for these ingredients. If you develop yellowing of your tongue, stop using the product and talk with a dentist about other oral care options.

Certain digestive conditions, such as chronic erosive gastritis, are associated with yellow discoloration of the tongue. Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed.

A 2019 study involving 571 people in Taiwan found that those with type 2 diabetes were more likely to have areas of yellow hairy tongue than those who did not have a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

A 2018 study involving nearly 1,000 people in Japan found a similar link between yellowing of the tongue and type 2 diabetes. However, the researchers noted that many of the factors related to yellow tongue — such as smoking, lack of oral hygiene, and candidiasis — link to diabetes.

Learn seven health screenings your dentist can do.

A 2020 review of COVID-19 research found a variety of oral symptoms reported in cases of COVID-19 infection. Among these were sores or areas that could appear yellow or gray.

Contact a doctor if you develop symptoms of COVID-19, including changes in your mouth and tongue.

Most often, yellow tongue is not a serious condition. However, contact a doctor if you develop additional symptoms, such as:

• other symptoms of jaundice, including a yellowish tint to your skin or eyes, dark urine, and pale stools
• symptoms of infection, such as a fever of 100.4°F (38°C)
• pain in your tongue or mouth
• difficulty eating or drinking
• yellowness in your tongue that does not go away, even after steps to treat it

Treatment for yellow tongue focuses on addressing the underlying cause.

For example, if your tongue appears yellow due to a lack of oral hygiene, making changes to your oral care routine can help reduce or remove any yellowing.

Similarly, making habit changes such as stopping smoking or reducing consumption of coffee or tea can help improve yellow tongue.

If your yellow tongue is a side effect of a medication, talk with your prescribing doctor. They can discuss treatment alternatives or help manage your side effects.

In cases when a yellow tongue results from a condition such as oral thrush or gastritis, your doctor can prescribe or recommend treatments to address that condition. This can help your tongue return to its typical color.

You can prevent yellow tongue by practicing good oral hygiene and brushing your teeth and tongue at least twice per day.

Avoiding or stopping habits that contribute to yellow tongue can also prevent discoloration from occurring.

If you tend to develop a yellow tongue, consider using a tongue scraper regularly to prevent dead cells from building up.

These are some other questions people often ask about yellow tongue. Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP, reviewed the answers.

Yellow tongue is quite common. A 2014 overview estimates that between 0.6% and 11.3% of the global population experiences black hairy tongue, a common cause of yellowing of the tongue.

Some causes of yellow tongue can also cause the roof of your mouth to turn yellow. These include oral thrush, lack of oral hygiene, and use of tobacco products.

However, yellowing on the roof of your mouth can also be due to an abscess from an infected tooth or infected gums. Contact a dentist if you have symptoms of infection such as swelling, tenderness, and redness or discoloration.

Many causes of yellow tongue can also cause green tongue, including oral thrush, geographic tongue, and black hairy tongue. Pus from an infection, such as an infected tongue piercing, can also cause green tongue.

Many people experience yellow tongue. There are several reasons why your tongue might look yellow, and most of them are not serious.

Some medical conditions can cause yellow tongue. In these cases, treating the condition can help resolve the yellowing of your tongue.

Lifestyle habits such as using tobacco products, consuming coffee and tea, and not following proper oral hygiene can cause yellow tongue. Changing these habits can help prevent yellow tongue and improve overall oral health.