Does stress cause a coated tongue?

Stress may result in oral thrush, a fungal infection that presents as white patches on the tongue, according to MedicineNet. Other conditions that cause a coating on the tongue include food debris, bacterial plaque, linea alba, oral lichen planus and hairy leukoplakia.

Stress is a chemical reaction in the body that acts to prevent injury from real or perceived threatening situations, according to WebMD. It may present with emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioral symptoms. People must properly deal with everyday stress to prevent stress overload and health problems. However, stress may also be a symptom of underlying health conditions; a doctor can rule out these conditions with an evaluation.