Green Discoloration On Tongue, Smoking, Infections, Use Of Mouthwash With Iodine, Drugs

Posted on Tue, 29 Mar 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 Answered on

Wed, 16 May 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : XXXXXXX tongue for 30+ days. Darkest in am. Allergy doctor and primary doctor cannot determine cause. Can you?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (21 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX ,

Thanks for your query ,

The most possible causes for a greenish discoloration of the tongue are Smoking, Tongue Infections and too much use of mouth washes with chlorhexidine / Iodine.

I hope your doctors would have rule out the infection.

It is also said that people who use weed frequently and illicit drug abuse can also have greenish discoloration of tongue.

I could be able to come to a most probable diagnosis , if you can provide some more infromation like :

1) Do you have sorethroat or dental caries ?

2) Is there any history of recent intake any antibiotics or any other drugs ?

3) Do you smoke or consume alchol ?

4) Did you have fever at the onset of the discoloration , Is it still prevailing ?

Will be waiting for the your information

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar