I have dark spots on my tongue that bothers a lot. What causes them? With pictures, get the causes and remedies including those on the tip, side or under the tongue.
Causes
Table of content
This part focusses on causes. Have an insight into what causes you were looking for your own case after going through this section plus more.
Hairy Tongue or lingua villosa nigra
Hairy tongue is one condition most commonly cause. What actually causes it is the growth of fungus that leads to decay or a combination of both fungi and bacteria. This condition leaves black decomposed deposits that are seen as dark patches.
Inadequate oral cleaning and too much use of anti-biotic broad-spectrum drugs highly increase changes of lingua villosa nigra.
A majority of smokers or tobacco chewers are victims too as tobacco increases the favorable harboring conditions of growing fungus.
Tongue Piercing
Secondly, tongue piercing is another cause these patches including on lips. After the piercing has healed, a dark spot may be left behind around the piercing site.
The piercing also can lead infection and hence the discoloration. More so, at pierce point, normal pigmentation is lost.
Oral Fibroma
Oral fibroma is a condition where scar-like tissues form in mouth after you persevere irritation for a long time. This can cause painless and “extremely small spots on the surface of the tongue.” [www.buzzle.com].
For many individuals, oral fibroma is an acquired factor which gives rise to active cells that grow as brown or dark patches.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation in is mostly a phenomenon that roots from a family inheritance. It results from the production of extra pigment from cells on the affected area
It is totally not a disease thus harmless.
Other Causes
Apart from what you have just read these are also other possible causes of some these black patches, marks or spots.
1. Oral Cancer
If you have oral cancer or cancer of the mouth there will be dark patches or lumps appearing on the affected part especially underside. These patches oral cancer relationship are pointed at by tissue growths in the oral cavity. If you have them and sore throat, go for cancer symptom testing.
2. Certain Foods and Beverages
Licorine, coffee and other beverages rich in caffeine may result in dark patches and spots after using them consistently over a longer span of time.
3. Certain Medicines
Oral drugs such as antidepressants, antibiotics, etc. especially those that have iron salts or bismuth subsalicylate also cause them. E.g. Pepto-Bismol tablets.
4. Hairy papilla black spots on babies
A hairy papilla is a common cause of these spots children pigmentation which has little and nothing to do with lingua villosa nigra or HIV. A hairy papilla is a small dark harmless removable structure found at dorsal/back on the tongue or anterior lateral surface of the front part in children.
5. Anemia
You can easily tell signs of anemia from these marks anemia symptoms – it is accompanied by an inflamed, sore and painful feeling in the mouth.
6. Hyperpigmentation from Chemotherapy
Certain drugs used in chemotherapy can result in localized dark patches on tongue. Examples of such drugs are doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. The normal pigmentation of the nails and mucous membranes may as well be altered.
Under Tongue & Pictures
What is that dark spot under my tongue? It is possible to find some small or big ones in this area. Do not be disturbed because they can too occur here due to a number of reasons such as dental practices and others such as:
Silver Filling/Amalgam
One of the most common causes is filling one or more teeth with silver or amalgam. During the amalgamation process, small pieces of silver are thrown at high speed so that some end up deposited in this area. That is what you are likely to expect if you are having an old silver filling being removed for a newer one.
Tongue Piercing
Normally, this piercing is done through the tongue flesh, it is therefore very possible after healing to see a dark mark on the pierced site or some if you have multiple piercings.
Oral Cancer
Cancer cells may grow right under or lower surface where the tongue rests. Tumors that do not easily heal may be noticed.
On tip
Obviously, the tip has taste buds. Unless you are tobacco chewer, their presence sometimes means a “vascular bud near or part of the taste bud,” according to Dr. Richard Arden.
Chewing tobacco promotes fungal growth and activity. Any of the above causes can also be responsible.
On Side
When on the side, they can be due to any of the above causes. Do not ignore them since any forms of oral cancer are responsible them on this part, the bottom of mouth or even back of the tongue. If they are even small dark make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup.
Conclusion
The bottom line is actually to know what causes dark spots regardless of where they may occur. Proper oral health routine is a beginner’s way to ensure you do not have these marks
Our Reference list and Sources
- http://www.md-health.com/Black-Spots-On-Tongue.html
- Oral Fibroma: http://www.dermnetnz.org/site-age-specific/oral-fibroma.html
- http://www.healthline.com/health/tongue-problems-2#Overview1