What causes a black tongue coating in an 11-month-old baby?

Under normal circumstances, a black tongue coating in an eleven-month-old baby may be caused by consuming foods containing melanin, indigestion, vitamin B deficiency, gastrointestinal dysfunction, or bacterial infection. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:

1. Consuming foods containing melanin

After an eleven-month-old baby eats foods rich in melanin, such as mulberries or black sesame paste, the tongue coating may temporarily turn black. This condition usually presents no other obvious symptoms and does not require special treatment.

2. Indigestion

The digestive system of infants is not yet fully matured. Incomplete digestion and absorption of food may lead to indigestion, resulting in a black tongue coating, often accompanied by symptoms such as bloating and vomiting. It is recommended to adjust the baby's diet by increasing the proportion of easily digestible foods, such as rice porridge and bananas.

3. Vitamin B deficiency

If an eleven-month-old baby does not consume enough vitamin B in their daily diet, a deficiency may develop. Since vitamin B deficiency affects oral mucosal metabolism, it may cause the tongue coating to appear black, often accompanied by symptoms such as anemia and fatigue. It is recommended to administer vitamin B1 tablets, vitamin B2 tablets, or compound vitamin B tablets under medical supervision.

4. Gastrointestinal dysfunction

If an eleven-month-old baby experiences abdominal chilling, gastrointestinal dysfunction may occur, altering the internal oral environment and leading to a black tongue coating. This is typically accompanied by symptoms such as bloating and constipation. It is recommended to use medications such as bifidobacterium quadruple live bacteria tablets, bacillus licheniformis live bacteria capsules, or bacillus subtilis bivalent live bacteria granules under a doctor’s guidance.

5. Bacterial infection

If bacterial overgrowth leads to infection in the mouth of an eleven-month-old baby, the tongue coating may turn black, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as oral mucosal ulceration and swelling. Parents should administer medications such as amoxicillin capsules, clarithromycin capsules, or metronidazole tablets according to medical advice.

In the baby's daily diet, spicy and raw-cold foods should be avoided to prevent bodily discomfort.