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The tongue can temporarily develop black hairy tongue, a harmless condition that gives the tongue a dark, fuzzy appearance.
The look often results from an accumulation of dead skin cells on the tiny, rounded bumps on the tongue’s surface, called papillae, which contain taste buds. When these bumps grow longer than normal, they can easily trap substances like tobacco, food, beverages, bacteria, yeast, or other particles, causing discoloration.
Tobacco usage, certain medications, and poor oral hygiene are just a few of the factors that might produce black hairy tongue.
Although it may seem concerning, black hairy tongue is typically painless and carries no health risks. Treating the underlying reasons and maintaining regular tongue and mouth hygiene usually eliminates the condition.
Symptoms
The tongue’s appearance is typically only symptom, and it does not cause any pain. In certain situations, other symptoms that might appear are as follows:
- The tongue is black, though it can also be brown, green, yellow, or white.
- A fluffy or hairy appearance on the tongue.
- Bad breath
- A metallic aftertaste or changed taste.
- If the papillae are very large, a gag or tickling sensation may occur in the mouth.
- If a bacterial or yeast infection is the source of hairy black tongue, a burning sensation on the tongue may happen.
Black hairy tongue may seem concerning, but it’s typically a temporary and harmless condition. With proper care, it usually resolves quickly. The majority of the time, symptoms of black hairy tongue go away on their own in one to two weeks.
If someone has black hairy tongue and isn’t sure of the cause, it’s advisable to see a doctor or dentist. They can help identify any underlying health issues or recommend treatment options. Consulting a specialist can also offer a prompt solution and valuable guidance, especially if the problem persists despite regular brushing and twice-daily tongue cleaning.
Causes
The papillae, which are tiny, rounded bumps on the tongue, may develop excessively long because they do not shed dead skin cells, which is the usual cause of black hairy tongue. Staining substances that can become deposited on the papillae include food, beverages, tobacco, bacteria, and yeast. This gives the tongue a hairy, black appearance.
The following causes black hairy tongue:
- Changes in the good bacteria or yeast that are present in the mouth after taking antibiotics.
- Poor oral hygiene (cleaning of the mouth and tongue).
- Dry mouth.
- Consuming a soft diet may not effectively exfoliate dead skin cells from the tongue.
- Frequently utilizing mouthwashes containing oxidizing chemicals, including peroxide, which may cause oral irritation.
- Tobacco usage.
- Frequently consuming black tea or coffee.
- Frequently consuming significant quantities of alcohol.
- Specific medications.
- Suffering from a disease like HIV or cancer that impairs immunity against pathogens.
- Radiation therapy.
Risk factors
Black hairy tongue risk factors include eating only soft foods, dry mouth, and poor mouth and tongue cleanliness.
An individual may be more susceptible to the condition if they are male, older, smoke, or have ever had hairy black tongue.
Diagnosis
The appearance of the tongue, along with potential causes or risk factors, are used to make the diagnosis of black hairy tongue. When diagnosing a medical condition, it’s important to rule out other medical conditions that could have a tongue-like appearance, such as:
- Differences in tongue color.
- Foods or medications that cause tongue discoloration.
- Fungal or viral infections.
- Patches that develop on the tongue, like oral hairy leukoplakia.
- Pseudo-black hairy tongue, also known as blackened tongue. Using bismuth-containing products, such as Pepto-Bismol, may result to this condition.
If the healthcare provider is unsure about the diagnosis or suspects that the patient may have other health issues, they might recommend a biopsy, which is an examination of tissue taken from the tongue.
Treatment
Treatment for black hairy tongue is typically not necessary. Even though it might not appear good, this is typically a mild, temporary condition.
The most common treatment for black hairy tongue is improved oral hygiene at home. It’s also important to eliminate factors that may contribute to the condition, such as avoiding tobacco use and irritating mouthwashes. If these measures are ineffective, a healthcare provider may recommend medication or, in severe cases, surgery.
- Oral hygiene: The first action a person should undertake is to make improvements to their oral hygiene. Make sure to thoroughly clean their tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper after they’ve finished brushing and flossing.
- Medication: If black hairy tongue persists despite improved oral hygiene, it can be treated with antibiotics, antifungal medications, mouthwash, or retinoids. Never discontinue taking any prescription medication without first consulting with a healthcare provider.
- Surgery: When all other methods have failed to resolve the issue, traditional or laser surgery may be an alternative.
