Tongue Disease

Updated on June 17, 2014
L.P. asks from Saratoga Springs, NY
9 answers

I had a deep cleaning on my teeth where they used Arestin. I developed hairy black tongue after the treatment and was then given Nystatin but my tongue has gotten worse. It is sore and has developed a thick yellow coating. I don't know if I scraped it too much and irritated it but I have stopped taking the Nystatin and now I don't know what to do. Can you please help me seeing my dentist doesn't know what I should do.

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

My granddaughter had this a couple of times. From what we were told it is a bacterial infection and it just went away on it's own without any medications. She never complained of it hurting. It sounds like maybe you have more than 1 thing going on. You should see your regular Doctor if it keeps hurting or gets worse. The Allergy Doctor is the one that diagnosed it. I hope this helps.
Kay

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A.D.

answers from Jackson on

Call and speak to the triage nurses at Mayo Clinic or a University Hospital.

In my experience, triage phone nurses are highly skilled. They were patient, perceptive and on target for my friend. My friend was finally diagnosed and treated for "slimy tongue disorder." The treatment was quick and effective.

Also Mayo Clinic and University hospital fees are typically no more expensive than a local physicians. Be brave, and continue onto Mayo's web site and phone center.

Updated

Call and speak to the triage nurses at Mayo Clinic or a University Hospital.

In my experience, triage phone nurses are highly skilled. They were patient, perceptive and on target for my friend. My friend was finally diagnosed and treated for "slimy tongue disorder." The treatment was quick and effective.

Also Mayo Clinic and University hospital fees are typically no more expensive than a local physicians. Be brave, and continue onto Mayo's web site and phone center.

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K.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

L. P. - are you still out there? I have had a similar experience - but I also have a tongue that is now crooked and I cannot eat solid food. I was told it was Thrush at first - but it's not. I have an MRI scheduled but can't get away from the fact that the onset of my yellow tongue and difficulty eating corresponds to the Arestin treatment - what happened to you? Thanks.

C.M.

answers from New York on

You may want to see an ENT specialist.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

See your Doctor.
and also research online "Arestin." And see if this has been a noted side effect/complication.
Unless the Dentist did not do it properly....

sounds like an infection....
Or go to the ER.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Your dentist doesn't know what to do? I don't understand that. Did he at least suggest to wait a period of time and see if it would go away on it's own? or for you to see your gp.

A yellow coating does sound like it's possibly a bacteria infection but it could be a different form of a yeast infection. I would definitely continue taking the Nystatin. I would also use a medicated mouth wash. Tea Tree oil is touted as helping with oral hygiene. I've used a Tea Tree mouth wash.

Perhaps see a naturpathic doctor. Or you gp if you haven't seen him yet.

A culture would tell you what is growing on your tongue. A gp would be more knowledgeable about infections in general.

I get thick coatings on my tongue every once in awhile. They usually just brush off when I brush my tongue. Sometimes it takes a few days of brushing. I don't know why this happens but it's not been a problem. One time I had thrush, which is a yeast infection. The coating was white.

Your tongue might be sore because you have been brushing or scraping it. I don't understand your dentists response. did he see your tongue with the yellow coating?

Have you googled mouth infections? That might give you an idea of what is going on.

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R.R.

answers from New York on

I am a dental hygienist and I do periodontal therapy daily. Could you tell me if you were using a Chlorahexidine Rinse or not? See info...googled...

Black hairy tongue
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A picture of Black hairy tongue.
Black hairy tongue
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 K14.3
ICD-9 529.3
DiseasesDB 31923
eMedicine derm/639

Black hairy tongue (also known as "Hairy tongue,"[1] and "Lingua villosa nigra"[1]) refers to a number of conditions of humans and animals that cause the tongue to become unusually dark and/or hairy in appearance. It is associated with the elderly, as well as with antibiotic use. It is more commonly seen in tobacco smokers. While black is the most common color associated with the condition other colors are also possible[citation needed].
[edit] Causes in humans

Hairy tongue is a common condition caused by defective desquamation of the filiform papillae that results from a variety of precipitating factors. Some of these factors include poor oral hygiene, tooth loss (because a soft diet does not allow for normal desquamation from rough food scraping the tongue), chronic or extensive use of antibiotics, and radiation treatments to the head and neck. Hairy tongue is often referred to as black hairy tongue (lingua villosa nigra), but it may also appear brown, white, green, or pink- often due to secondary factors such as mouthwashes, breath mints, etc. The "hairy" areas are usually on the posterior (back) of the tongue and never involve the undersurface. Hairy tongue is not a harmful disorder, and is normally asymptomatic. Patients with hairy tongue often may develop a secondary infection of Candida albicans (thrush). It is unclear if hairy tongue itself is a predisposing factor, as the underlying causes of hairy tongue may also lead to the development of thrush. Procter & Gamble admits that Pepto-Bismol can cause one's tongue and stool to turn black.[2] This form of "black tongue," however, is a result of a reaction between the bismuth subsalicylate active ingredient and trace sulfur in saliva, forming bismuth(III) sulfide (Bi2S3). It is also possible for the tongue to turn dark in a similar manner after eating or drinking certain things such as beetroot or red wine.

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C.O.

answers from Sacramento on

Sounds kind of like thrush. call your doctor and have them take a look. Black hairy tongue is benign. I am surpised they gave you treatement for it. It generally resolves itself. The pain and yellow coating you are describing, however, sounds like it may need some attention.

---Edit---

on the otherhand, it may be related to the black hairy tongue...I suggest you look at the MAYO website. They have some information available. I would still contact a doctor though.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi L.,

The website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/black-hairy-tongue/ds01134
says it's harmless and will go away on its own. Bless your heart! Bless your heart!

It is bacteria so don't rub. You might be able to speed up the process by gargling colloidal silver. I use it for bacterial problems so it might be worth a shot....Bless your heart!

M.

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