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Mouth Diseases

Tongue discoloration

04/21/2000

Question:

I have been experiencing a yellowing of my tongue as the day goes on for three months now. I am getting concerned. I first thought it was my multi-vitamins (they were yellow). I then swithed to pink ones. That still did not do the trick. I have been off all vitamins for two weeks now and I still am experiencing the yellowing. It worsens as the day goes on. It is a bright yellow-orange color. I would like very much to know what this may be.

Answer:

There are a variety of possible factors that can lead to changes in the color of the upper surface of the tongue. These include: antibiotic therapy, poor oral hygiene, use of certain mouthwashes, toothpastes, antacids (or possibly chewable multi-vitamins) and growth of bacterial or fungal organisms.

The discoloration is typically harmless, although it can be dramatic and alarming. If you are using a chewable form of vitamin supplement, you might try switching to a capsule/tablet that you swallow with water. Switching toothpaste or mouthwash formulations may be helpful. Finally, gentle brushing of the tongue with a toothbrush (you don`t need a tonguebrush although these are available)once a day can often control the color by removing the excess skin cells on the papilla (small, hair-like structures)of the tongue. This layer of cells is where most pigments or colored materials accumulate.

Incidentally, several tongue colors have been reported, including yellow, green, brown and black.

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Response by:

John R Kalmar, DMD, PhD John R Kalmar, DMD, PhD
Clinical Professor of Pathology
Associate Dean of Dentistry Administration
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University