Why is my tongue white in the morning?

A white tongue in the morning is most commonly caused by a buildup of dead skin cells, food debris, and bacteria trapped between the tiny projections on your tongue called papillae.

During sleep, your mouth naturally produces less saliva, which normally washes away these particles. If you breathe through your mouth, snore, or are dehydrated, your mouth dries out even more, allowing this mixture to accumulate and form a visible white coating overnight.

Usually, this is harmless and can be easily resolved by brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper, alongside drinking plenty of water.