Even before going on abx I've had strange tongue coatings. I know white is for yeast/candida and brown can happen--which it did for me.
Since I usually have a blackish/purple stripe down the center and dots on the more central part of the tongue is this just a different kind of bacterial overgrowth?
And I'm not eating licorice or grape gobstoppers!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Black is also a fungal reaction. It's called "Black Hairy Tongue" - not uncommon, actually. Just google the term. -
Posted by jenny76 (Member # 18205) on :
Yes definitely fungal. Candida/yeast.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- In addition to systemic treatment there is a mouth wash below.
Since I have a file on mouth stuff, I just saved this from a post I read yesterday:
Jason brand. It is called "Healthy mouth". It has GSE and Tea tree oil and some other natural antibacterial/antifungal herbs in it. It does not have any alcohol so it won't dry your mouth out. It tastes good too.
. . . had a weird black furry fungal patch that was growing on the back of my tongue. 2wks of Nystatin liquid and Diflucan did not work. The "healthy mouth" mouth wash took care of the problem in just a couple days.
(Sammy) -
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
You could also try using a metal tongue scraper as part of your oral therapy.
Yep, it was a stubborn fungal infection for me. I tried the tongue scraper too. And brushed my tongue until it started to bleed in areas. But the furry stuff did not budge until I tried the Jason "Healthy Mouth" mouth wash. This was after Myclex lozenges, Nystatin liquid, and Diflucan tablets failed to get rid of the infection.
You can order the mouthwash from iherb. It is cheaper and more convenient than going to the store.
By the way, a black looking tongue can also be caused by certain medications. That might be something to consider if you recently started something new. Pepto bismol is known to do this if you don't rinse your mouth out well after taking it.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
My tongue was black too but nystantin cleared it up. Pretty gross.
Posted by Topaz (Member # 20216) on :
I think diluted grapefruit seed extract swished in the mouth can help with that as well.
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
I brush mit tongue with salt morning and night with another brush. That helps. Also you can mix salt,baking soda and creme of tartar and drink it every day.Pm me if interested. I have no yeast.
I found here on the net that you can dissolve a probiotic on the togue and it cleans very fast.
Sesame oil in the mouth after cleaning.
Posted by twingirl (Member # 13172) on :
You can also get a brown/black tongue from pepto bismal. That's what happened to me. I gargled with baking soda and got rid of the problem right away.
Posted by sickpuppy (Member # 23846) on :
Thanks for all the ideas. I don't ever use bepto so it's not that, and it doesn't really have that same look. It isn't from a new abx--I had it before diagnosis and treatment. I scrape and brush but it does no good.
I'm about to go back on fluconozole and I'll try the Jason mouthwash.
My acupressurist/nutritionist said it's not candida but rather a sign of toxins--a toxic body. She associates it with heavy metals. Anyway, I'll keep working on it.
I really liked the tongue diagnosis link and wanted to say thank you for posting these.
LaurieL
Posted by lauirel (Member # 16640) on :
Keebler,
You provided a link to Jason's Healthy Mouthwash in the beginning of this thread of which the original poster was Sammy.
I had been on Nystatin for oral thrush, and although it did have some affect, when the script ran out, I still had a "minor" case of thrush still going on. And a refusal by my normal practitioner for a longer course, citing other underlying conditions and my need to fork out more money to see a specialist. Heavy sigh. Lyme and prolonged antibiotics, but non-LLMD's will never understand. Anywho...
There was also a suggestion in another thread I cannot find and there for unable to credit the poster, but their recommendation of using Udo's Choice Probiotic Lozenges to maintain the healthy flora of the mouth.
I went to Whole Foods and found the Jasons Healthy Mouthwash, and in combination with the probiotic capsules I had on hand, am now seeing a healthy tongue!!!
I use the mouthwash with the "oil pull" technique, I swish for ten minutes while at the computer. The taste is quite intense, so I have been brushing after swishing with a baking soda paste. I then open a probiotic capsule and place the contents on my tongue and work it into my mouth.
In three days, the white film that was still left on my tongue, and the cracks in my tongue are incredibly improved, just the edges still need a little work, the rest is gone!! I wanted to thank you, Sammy, and the other poster about the probiotics and the mouthwash.
I have to pay cash for my meds, and was thinking I would have to shell out for some fluconazole, but seems that thankfully, I just may not need to after all.
![[woohoo]](graemlins/woohoo.gif)