Table of contents:
- Various causes of a black tongue
- 1. Use of antibiotics
- 2. The habit of drinking coffee and smoking
- 3. Using mouthwash
- 4. Take pepto-bismol
- 5. Dry mouth
- Don't worry, black tongue can be overcome
A healthy tongue is usually pink in color and covered with small white spots (papillae). If the color turns black, it could be a sign of health problems. Here are some of the causes of black tongue that may happen to you.
Various causes of a black tongue
Your tongue is filled with tiny bumps called papillae. These papillae function as recipients of stimuli, helping you detect the taste.
However, dead skin cells can build up on the tips of the papillae, making them appear long. Papillae that look elongated at any time can change color due to the presence of bacteria and exposure to certain substances.
If you look in the mirror and find that your tongue is black, it may have a variety of causes, including:
1. Use of antibiotics
Antibiotics are responsible for killing bacteria. Unfortunately, this drug not only kills bad bacteria, but sometimes good bacteria too.
As a result, the balance of bacteria in the mouth will be disturbed and allow certain yeast or bacteria to develop and change the color of the tongue.
2. The habit of drinking coffee and smoking
Smoking and drinking coffee not only change the color of your teeth, they can also cause a black tongue. The chemicals in tobacco can change the color of white papillae. Likewise with coffee and tea.
Usually, the tongue will not be pitch black, but brown. This may happen if you drink coffee, tea, and smoke too often.
3. Using mouthwash
Using mouthwash aims to keep the mouth and teeth clean. However, the wrong choice of mouthwash can be the cause of black tongue.
One of the mouthwashes that can cause your tongue to darken is one that contains oxidizing agents, such as peroxides.
This substance can affect the balance of bacteria in the mouth. Gives an opening for the fungus in the mouth to multiply and turns the tongue black.
4. Take pepto-bismol
Pepto-bismol is a medicine for diarrhea that is easily found in stores or pharmacies. Although it is effective in treating diarrhea, the sulfur content in the drug can turn the papillae black.
5. Dry mouth
Apart from habits or exposure to certain substances, dry mouth conditions can also be the cause of black tongue.
A dry mouth has less saliva. In fact, saliva is useful for maintaining the balance of bacteria and helps clean dead skin cells on the tongue.
Lack of saliva can certainly lead to a buildup of dead skin cells and increased bacterial growth. As a result, the bacteria will make the papillae look black.
Dry mouth conditions can be caused by the use of certain drugs and lack of fluid intake, such as rarely drinking water, not eating fortified foods, or not eating vegetables and fruits.
Don't worry, black tongue can be overcome
The changing color of the tongue is sure to worry you. However, generally this condition is not a sign of serious problems.
"Fortunately, this condition is uncommon and usually not serious. This most likely occurs in people who do not maintain good oral and dental hygiene, "said Dr. Allan, MD, family health specialist at Cleveland Clinic.
To deal with black tongue, you have to know the underlying cause. The following treatments can help you to return the tongue color back to normal, namely:
- Be diligent in cleaning your teeth as well as brushing your tongue. Rub your tongue gently 2 times a day to remove dead skin cells and bacteria from your tongue.
- After eating and drinking coffee or tea, it's best to immediately rinse your mouth with water and scrub your tongue with a brush. The goal is that food scraps and coloring agents do not damage the color of the teeth and change the color of the papillae.
- Drink enough water. So that the mouth is not dry, make sure you drink lots of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. In addition, you can chew sugar-free gum to stimulate more saliva production.
The final step is routine dental and oral health checks to the dentist.
Checking with the dentist also helps you find the right cause of black tongue as well as allows you to get drugs that do not have side effects of black tongue
