Hi, i'm a smoker but do not smoke more than 12-15 a day but my tongue had started going like a yellowy brown colour and my toothbrush isn't helping!!

Staining: Your tobacco use is staining the papillae on the surface of your tongue. Toothbrushing won't help, tobacco cessation will.

Hairy Tongue: Hairy tongue. Google it. If you think your tongue looks bad, guess what's happening to your lungs which you can't see. Personally I would worry more about your general health, increased cancer risk and potential for other serious health issues. See a dentist for a complete soft tissue examination and suggestions concerning your tongue. Speak to a physician about how best to stop smoking.

Careful: See oral surgeon or ENT doc if you have any of these symptoms: Persistent mouth sore, persistent mouth pain, a lump or thickening in the cheek, a white/red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth, a sore throat, hoarseness or feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing/chewing.

Now: Get yourself to your Dentist or preferably to an Oral Surgeon immediately. It may be innocuous, but it could also be very serious. Smoking causes cancer, as you well know, even in people who only smoke 12-15/day.

Two step approach : First - Make an appointment with your dentist for and oral cancer screening. Second - Make an appointment with your medical doctor and make a plan to stop smoking. 12-15 cigarettes per day is a large amount and is doing a tremendous amount of damage to your body. The sooner you stop, the healthier you will be.