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My Father Has Black Tongue, Why This Change In Color Is Happening ?
My father has a peculiar problem. From one year his tongue is becoming black in color. Why this change in color is happening ?. He do not have any other problem. But he smokes one pack of cigars perday. We told hime to stop but he is not listening
posted on
Sat, 19 Sep 2009
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 2 Jul 2011
Answered on
Wed, 14 Sep 2011
Last reviewed on
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User's Response
gurbani's
Response
i am a pan eater i regularlty eat 5 packets per day ..now my tongue has become dark and i am feeling very uncomfortable for that..is there any medication which will reduce the coating of my tongue??
the primary cause of tongue coloration due to external factors like smoking ,,guthka etc is growth of pappila on tongue surface due to insufficient oral hygiene ,,,
the patient needs to scrape his tongue alongside brushing the teeth thorughly but making sure he doesnt overdo it cause it can be injurious
secondly prevent smoking guthka etc
can use hydrogen peroxide mothwashes
through oral hygiene with tongue cleaning is most important
both side to side as well up n down motions with a simple tooth paste n brush is more than enough twice daily
initially u can advise him for three times after taking food
any problems mail me dr.sushilbabu@gmail.com
the patient needs to scrape his tongue alongside brushing the teeth thorughly but making sure he doesnt overdo it cause it can be injurious
secondly prevent smoking guthka etc
can use hydrogen peroxide mothwashes
through oral hygiene with tongue cleaning is most important
both side to side as well up n down motions with a simple tooth paste n brush is more than enough twice daily
initially u can advise him for three times after taking food
any problems mail me dr.sushilbabu@gmail.com
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1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hi! blackening of tongue in smokers is a very common occurence. The condition can be smoker's melanosis (a condition in which the melanin pigmentation of the tongue's surface increases giving it a brownish or black appearance). The condition can also be Hairy tongue. The diagnosis depends on the exact appearance of the tongue and whether the layer is scrapable or not. At times the condition resolves with discontinuation of smoking habit, as it might be the trigger. Do consult a nearby dentist for exact diagnosis. Maintain proper oral hygiene but do not try to scrape off the layer as it may induce bleeding. Take care.
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Dear Namisha,
Your father has a black tongue which could be mainly because of smoking however there are other causes of discolored tongue such as certain food substances, bad oral hygiene. in your father's case the cause looks to be mostly because of smoking as the amount you mentioned is enough to cause the discoloration. I would advise you to ask your father to slowly and gradually quit smoking as it is not only bad for oral health but for his general health as well. The tongue can be clenaed using a tongue cleaner but do not apply excessive force to do so. In case you have any other queries please feel free to conatct me at +91-7838386006.
Dr. Manish Juneja
www.thedentalhealthclinic.com
Best wishes
Your father has a black tongue which could be mainly because of smoking however there are other causes of discolored tongue such as certain food substances, bad oral hygiene. in your father's case the cause looks to be mostly because of smoking as the amount you mentioned is enough to cause the discoloration. I would advise you to ask your father to slowly and gradually quit smoking as it is not only bad for oral health but for his general health as well. The tongue can be clenaed using a tongue cleaner but do not apply excessive force to do so. In case you have any other queries please feel free to conatct me at +91-7838386006.
Dr. Manish Juneja
www.thedentalhealthclinic.com
Best wishes
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Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
There is the point, many smokers will have black tongues. Do you know one thing it can lead to cancer of tongue, check it with the doctor.
User's Response
andrea's
Response
in smokers black tongue is very much common. the black tongue can still worsen if you have take ghutka or hans also.
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