White Tongue

Hello,

So I am wondering if anyone can help me figure out what is happening to my tongue.  Two days after kissing a girl I noticed my tongue had turned white.  I went to the doctor where The PA told me I had thrush and gave me Nystatin which did not help it.  Two days after that visit to the doctor I developed a real bad flu.  I went back to the doctor who then told me I did not have thrush but had a coated tongue and gave me amoxicillin for the flu and fluconazole because he said he did not want the coated tongue to turn into thrush from the antibiotics.  The medication helped rid me of the flu but the white tongue did not go away.  I have since been to the dentist who believed it was a result of tobacco use and rinsing with hydrogen peroxide which I had been doing.  I have also been to an ENT doctor who believes it is a result of acid reflux and prescribed prilosec and has me rinsing with baking soda.  Now it has been 9 weeks and none of this seems to be curing my tongue.  The doctors have told me they think it is unrelated to the girl I kissed prior to having the issue and have told me it is not contagous.  I have been tested for all STD's and do not have anything so it is not from that, and I have not used tobacco or rinsed with hydrogen peroxide since this all began.  

To describe the tongue, the papillae are all pretty much white.  If I brush my tongue with baking soda it pinkens it up temporarily but it always goes back to white.  Even when it is temporarily pink I can see the outline of where it will turn white again as it looks like there is a slimy coating that cant be scraped off in that area.  It covers the top surface of my tongue from the back where it is very white to the tip where there is more pink areas mixed in with the white.  It is not cottage cheese looking and the papillae are not long and hairy looking either.  Any help in answering 1) what this might be, 2) is it contagous, and 3) how can I cure it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks  for your help!

[scottma]

Your descriptions suggest hairy tongue.The  etiology of hairy tongue is unknown in most cses.predisposing factors include, but not limited to, neglected oral hygiene, shift in the microflora, antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs, thrush, excessive alcohol consumption, oral inactivity,  therapeutic radiation, as well as smoking.

[mammo]

It sounds very much like  Candidiasis or "thrush."  Thrush is caused by an over-growth of bateria (yeast) normally found in our digestive track, but gets out of control. Basically a yeast infection of the mouth. This usually occurs when your immune system is weakend, and yours was by the flu, and the antibiotics just added to your problem.  It's not really a big deal.  You need to see a doctor and get an anti-fungal medication.  Brush your tongue 2-3 times a day with toothpaste, don't scrub just gently brush it.   Drinks lots of water while you have this, it keeps the tongue free of debris and bacteria. Probiotics are also good to take, and keeps the natural ocurring bacteria from getting out of whack. Avoid sugar, thrush thrives on sugar.  It can be difficult to get rid of.  Once it is gone, rinse your mouth daily with a teaspoon of salt added to a warm cup of water.  Use good oral hygiene always, and brush your tongue as often as your teeth.