A brownish tongue can seems frightening, in cases when it is difficult to ascertain whether harmless or something more serious.
There are several potential factors that could bring about this discoloration, ranging from poor oral hygiene maintenance to certain medical conditions.
In this post, we’ll explore deeply the causes, symptoms, and potential risks of brown spots on the tongue surface.
Causes of Brown Spots on the Tongue
Brown spots on the tongue can arise due to multiple and several reasons, some are benign and localise in nature while and others require strict medical attention. Some of the most common causes include the following;
1- Poor Oral Hygiene
2- Smoking
3- Black hairy tongue
4- Consistent consumption of Certain drinks and foods
5- Certain Medications and treatments
6- Oral Thrush
7- Geographic tongue
8- Dehydration
9- Underlying medical condition among others.
1- Poor Oral Hygiene
One of the most often causes of brownish coloured tongue is lack of adequate oral hygiene. Bacterial accumulation on the tongue surface can give rise to brownish coating, especially for individuals who are negligent of regular brushing or tongue cleaning.
Poor oral hygiene often bring about coloured tissues in the oral cavity and likely evolution of foul smelling such as halitosis.
2- Smoking
Smoking is a major cause of brown spots and a brownish discoloured tongue. The tar and nicotine from tobacco products not only stain and decrease blood flow to the teeth but also the tongue.
Over time, heavy smokers may have a condition called smoker’s tongue, which have a dark spots character and sometimes disclosure of hair-like projections.
3- Consistent Consumption Of Certain Foods And Drinks
Dark-colored beverages and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine, including certain spices and additives can temporarily stain the tongue.
This kind of discoloration is known to be harmless as it is temporary. As it will fade off once the tongue is cleaned thoroughly with appropriate brush and paste.
4- Medications And Treatments
Certain medications including antibiotics or those containing bismuth (commonly found in certain drugs like Pepto-Bismol) or those substances drugs some metallic components such as lead and so on can cause temporary brown discoloration on the tongue.
In rare cases, chemotherapy treatments have been linked to discoloured tongue as well.
5- Black Hairy Tongue (Lingua Villosa)
"Despite its scary name, black hairy tongue is a benign condition caused by the elongation of taste buds (papillae), which trap debris and bacteria. The condition can cause the tongue to appear brownish, black, or yellow, depending on the buildup. Factors contributing to this condition include smoking, poor oral hygiene, excessive coffee consumption, and the use of antibiotics."Source
That's all as regards the brown coloured tongue at least for now and happy reading.
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Video from world of dentistry YouTuber