My cat is drooling and his tongue looks "strange"

My cat Charlie is 6 years old.  Just today we noticed that the fur around his mouth is always wet and his tongue has some strange coloring in the middle of it stretching from side to side.  My daughter says when she opens his mouth she sees white all along the back of his mouth but I can't get him to open his mouth wide enough for me.  He seems to be fine otherwise, he's been laying with us and purring and doesn't get irritated at all when we open his mouth.  Does anyone know what this may be or if I should be worried?

I have no idea what this could be, but I would be worried if he were my cat. The wet fur sounds like drooling, and his tongue does not sound normal. I would recommend a vet visit.

It sounds like a fungal infection. I'd definitely be calling a vet for an appointment soon.

Could have some sort of infection.  I would recommend a vet visit asap