 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / January 2005Lines on tip of tongue
I posted about this a looong time ago but I wanted to post again. Ever since I had an antibiotic reaction (tongue turned white in the middle, spitting up white stuff) several years ago my tongue has never been the same. Granted, it's not nearly as bad as it was then, but it accumulates debris from whatever I drink/eat. I can brush/scrape it off, however it always returns. In fact, when I clean my tongue, you can still see the part of the tongue that collects debris is a little off color compared to the tip of my tongue. The tip of my tongue is red/natural, and then it stops and the rest of my tongue is an off color which eventually collects debris. Also, in the morning when I wake up, the tip of my tongue has "white lines" on it. Always shaped strangely, like in an outline of my teeth. It's usually always in the same generally area and the same shapes. Saliva or something is hardening and causing these lines, which then go away during the day as I eat. Extremely strange. Back when I first had my reaction, and a few months later, I saw a doctor about it. He looked at me puzzled like nothing was really wrong. I even made an appointment with a digestive doctor and said it was not thrush and did not seem concerned at all. I was so paranoid about it one time that I even had a HIV test when I thought it was thrush, before I saw that digestive doctor. Negative of course. I should note that when I jog, some food/acid comes up. I really think I may have Gerd or esophagus issues. I've read that GERD or stomach acid can cause all this stuff. When I had dental work done, my dentist never even commented on my tongue. Any suggestions? Why would I get white lines on the tip of my tongue in the morning, and why can't I get rid of the part of the tongue that collects items? Baking soda helps, cleans the tongue, but the "hairs" on the tongue stay a little longer than normal, thus collecting these items. thanks, Mark >I posted about this a looong time ago but I wanted to post again. Cool, I wanted to read it again too. >Ever since I had an antibiotic reaction (tongue turned white in the middle, >spitting up white stuff) several years ago my tongue has never been the >same. Oh I do not know about that. Happens. The technical term is, Black Hairy Tongue." I kid you not. photo is here http://tray.dermatology.uiowa.edu/DIB/BlkHairyTong01.htm *** Black, hairy tongue Question: What causes a black, coated tongue? Brushing the tongue removes the substance. Is this a sign of something serious? Could it be some type of fungus? Melvin / Florida Answer: An overgrowth of bacteria normally present in the mouth may cause discoloration of the tongue. These bacteria can accumulate on the hairlike projections (papillae) of the tongue. Some types of bacteria and yeast make red blood cell pigments (porphyrins), which give the tongue a black color. Also, the papillae may sometimes grow profusely, causing the tongue to look as though hair covers it. The cause of this condition often isn't clear. But it may be related to: Fungus, following antibiotic treatment, which changes the normal bacterial content of the mouth Use of medications containing bismuth such as Pepto-Bismol. Smoking or using chewing tobacco also may discolor the tongue. You can remove the discoloration by gently brushing your tongue with a toothbrush twice a day. Diluted hydrogen peroxide one part hydrogen peroxide to five parts water also may help bleach the color. You can rinse your mouth with it or apply it with a toothbrush. Avoid swallowing the solution. Rinse your mouth with water afterward. If this doesn't resolve the problem, consult your dentist or doctor. Black, hairy tongue Enlarge Image Black, hairy tongue Hair-like projections that grow profusely on the tongue, giving it a hairy appearance. The tongue usually is not sore, but the appearance can be alarming. Growths can be ... More questions and answers © 1998-2004 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Legal restrictions and terms of use applicable to content provided to this site by MayoClinic.com/Mayo Clinic Health Information. Use thereof signifies your agreement to these terms of use. > Granted, it's not nearly as bad as it was then, but it accumulates >debris from whatever I drink/eat. I can brush/scrape it off, however it [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] >thanks, >Mark Mark, Are you sure this is a reaction to an antibiotic? In some people, the filiform papillae are just longer than average. Could it be that you've always had this condition and just noticed it when you had the antibiotic reaction? If that is not the case, I'd say you're best off talking to an ear, nose and throat doctor, rather than a specialist in digestive diseases. My experience as a person with this condition is that doctors and dentists don't know much about it and don't care much because it is medically benign. However, it is an esthetic/hygiene challenge that ought to get more attention. Here is how I deal with it. I make no medical claims because I am a journalist, not a doctor or dentist. Scrape the tongue once a day with a low-profile tongue scraper. Rowpar Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ, 85260 makes a good one. Reach the scraper back as far as possible. You will overcome the gag reflex after a few days or more quickly. Brush your tongue each time you brush your teeth. Gargle with a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide once a day. Add two parts water to each one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide at 3% can be irritating to tissues but I find this diluted strength both mild and effective. You probably will still notice some discoloration of the tongue by food and drink, but some of this occurs on most tongues. It is transitory. Just washing your mouth out with water several times will reduce wine discoloration, for example. You will find that the routine described above improves taste in the mouth and appearance of the tongue. Debris accumulation is reduced greatly. It would be nice if there were a cure for this condition (laser surgery, for example). I haven't encountered one. However, if you use this method I outline, the problem can be effectively controlled with little difficulty. It is psychologically important not to become too involved in the appearance of your tongue, for example the lines you cite. The appearance of the tongue changes throughout the day, and you should not be alarmed about this. Please let me know if you run across other information on this topic, and I invite any others to share their knowledge. Larry What is a digestible doctor? I have not heard this. It could not have been thrush. You would notice if there were birds nesting in your mouth. You can hear them singing. DEF. Songbirds characteristically having brownish upper plumage with a spotted breast JOEL >Back when I first had my reaction, and a few months later, I saw a doctor >about it. He looked at me puzzled like nothing was really wrong. I even made >an appointment with a digestive doctor and said it was not thrush and did >not seem concerned at all. I was so paranoid about it one time that I even >had a HIV test when I thought it was thrush, before I saw that digestive >doctor. Negative of course. Digestive doctor. For people with acid reflux, etc. > What is a digestible doctor? I have not heard this. > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >had a HIV test when I thought it was thrush, before I saw that digestive > >doctor. Negative of course. THANKS! JOEL >Digestive doctor. For people with acid reflux, etc. > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >> >had a HIV test when I thought it was thrush, before I saw that digestive >> >doctor. Negative of course. We hope you jog alone ...... >I should note that when I jog, some food/acid comes up. OK buddy, get a tounge scrapper at the drug store for a buck or so. Use it. If you cannot find one get a tounge scraper. JOEL TONGUE scraper. >I posted about this a looong time ago but I wanted to post again. > [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] >thanks, >Mark |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.