What causes black tongue coating?
Disease description:
I am a 23-year-old female who enjoys drinking alcohol very much. I previously neglected my health, leading to stomach problems. I would like to ask whether this is related to having a black-colored tongue coating, and what causes a black tongue coating?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
Black tongue coating is a symptom characterized by the appearance of black or dark-colored苔-like substances on the surface of the tongue. There are many causes, mainly including the following:
1. Dietary factors: Consuming foods or beverages with high pigmentation, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, etc., can cause discoloration of the tongue coating.
2. Medication effects: Long-term use of certain medications, such as antibiotics or oral mouthwashes, can cause changes in the color of the tongue coating, resulting in a black appearance.
3. Oral hygiene problems: Inadequate oral cleaning leads to accumulation of tongue coating, bacterial growth, and production of melanin, which results in black tongue coating.
Patients should maintain good oral hygiene, brush teeth regularly, clean the tongue coating, and avoid excessive intake of pigmented foods. If the black tongue coating persists, medical consultation should be sought promptly.
