Jakarta –
A man’s tongue in Ohio, USA, has turned green and hairy thought to be a rare side effect of smoking tobacco and taking antibiotics. The 64-year-old man went to a primary care clinic a few weeks after noticing his tongue was starting to change color.
According to a study report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, about three weeks before visiting the doctor, the man had finished treatment with the antibiotic clindamycin for a gum infection.
He also reported that he was a smoker, but it was not clear how long he had been smoking. The case study authors did not indicate whether the condition was caused specifically by smoking, antibiotic use, or a combination of the two.
But previous studies have shown that smoking can have long-lasting effects on oral health, including causing a buildup of plaque and bacteria. Meanwhile, antibiotics can change the microbiome of the mouth, altering the bacteria and allowing them to build up on the tongue.
Doctors diagnosed the man with hairy tongue, a condition characterized by an abnormal coating on the upper surface of the tongue, also called the dorsal region.
Hairy tongue is caused by a buildup of dead skin on the parts of the tongue that contain taste buds, known as papillae. The papillae then become longer than normal, giving the tongue a hairy appearance. Also, it traps other substances, such as bacteria and yeast.
Usually there are no symptoms, although in some cases there is a burning sensation on the tongue. This is from bacteria and yeast that accumulate on the surface of the tongue.
According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), this condition affects about 13 percent of Americans. Hairy tongue can occur at any age but is most common in older people. It’s also more common in men than women.
Although the discoloration is usually black, the tongue can also turn brown, yellow, or green.
Additionally, smoking has long been shown to have a detrimental effect on oral health by causing a buildup of bacteria and plaque. While antibiotics, similar to those the patient is taking, can also cause new bacteria to form in the mouth, which can build up and cause hairy tongue.
Risk factors include smoking, dehydration, poor oral hygiene and antibiotics, according to the case study authors.
Patients who have had hairy tongue in the past are more likely to experience it again in the future. This condition is relatively harmless and usually temporary.
The doctor advised the man to gently scrub the surface of his tongue with a toothbrush four times a day. He was also given counseling on how to quit smoking. After six months, the patient’s tongue returned to normal.
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2023-07-12 00:32:36
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