black tongue
| Discussion in 'All Categories' started by Nosheen - Mar 14th, 2012 9:16 am. | |
Nosheen
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i m 29 female and two child.i have a problem of black tongue on both sides.i am so disturb plz suggest medicine for me. |
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re: black tongue
by Dr M.K. Gupta -
Mar 18th, 2012
6:53 pm
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Dr M.K. Gupta
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Dear Nosheen The black tongue is really harmless. Black hairy tongue is brought on by bacteria or fungi in the mouth, which will make the tongue appear black and hairy. It's easily remedied by good old-fashioned dental hygiene. A black hairy tongue is brought on by an excessive amount of bacteria or yeast development in the mouth. The bacteria build up on tiny rounded projections called papillae. These lie across the surface of the tongue. Rather than shedding as they normally do, the papillae begin to grow and lengthen, creating hair-like projections. They are able to grow to fifteen times their normal length. Normally, the papillae are pinkish-white. But as they grow, pigments from food, drinks, and perhaps the bacteria or yeast themselves get caught within the papillae, dyeing the tongue one. Most often that color is black, and so the name. But the tongue may also turn brown, yellow, green, or perhaps a number of other colors. Certain lifestyle habits and scenarios could make people more prone to develop black hairy tongue. They include: poor oral hygiene smoking cigarettes drinking a lot of coffee or tea using antibiotics (which may disrupt the normal balance of bacteria within the mouth) being dehydrated taking medications that contain caffeine bismuth (for example Pepto-Bismol for upset stomach) not producing enough saliva regularly using mouthwash which has peroxide, witch hazel, or menthol getting radiotherapy towards the neck and head Black hairy tongue is more common in men, people who use intravenous drugs, and people who are HIV-positive. Apart from the appearance of the tongue, most people with black hairy tongue don't have any symptoms or feel any discomfort. The exception is when there is too much development of the yeast Candida albicans, which can result in a burning sensation around the tongue. This burning sensation is known as glossopyrosis. Many people complain of the tickling feeling in the back of the roof of the mouth, a metallic style of their mouth, or nausea. In more severe cases, the problem may lead to a gagging feeling. Sometimes, food getting caught inside the extra-long papillae may cause foul breath. How Is Black Hairy Tongue Treated? Practicing good oral hygiene is the greatest method to treat black hairy tongue. Gently brush your teeth twice daily with a soft toothbrush. Also, brush your tongue. Use a tongue scraper to make sure you're thoroughly washing the area. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth clean. Other tips include: If you smoke, quit. Add more roughage for your diet. Soft foods won't clean off the tongue effectively. Call your doctor or dentist if the problem does not get better on its own. Your physician may prescribe antibiotics or an antifungal drug to get rid of the bacteria or yeast. Topical medications, for example tretinoin (Retin-A) are also sometimes prescribed. Like a last measure, if the problem doesn't improve, the papillae can be surgically clipped off with a laser or electrosurgery. With regards M.K. Gupta |