Black hairy tongue is an oral condition which is short-term and harmless. It is caused by too much bacteria or yeast growth in the mouth which make the tongue appear black and hairy. It is also recognized as “Hairy tongue” and “Lingua villosa nigra.” Black hairy tongue generally resolves without medical treatment.

The surface of tongue has tiny rounded projections known as papillae. The papillae begin to develop and lengthen, creating hair like projections in place of shedding. They can develop to 15 times their normal length. The papillae are pinkish-white but pigments from food, drinks and possibly the bacteria or yeast themselves get caught in the papillae, dyeing the tongue a color, as they grow. Most frequently that color is black, but the tongue can also turn brown, yellow, green, or a variety of other colors.

Symptoms:

Black, yellow or brown discoloration of the tongue

Altered taste or metallic taste in mouth

Bad breath

Gagging sensation in some people

A hairy or furry appearance of the tongue

Causes of Black Hairy Tongue

Poor oral hygiene

Being dehydrated

Using antibiotics

Drinking a lot of coffee or tea

Getting radiation therapy to the head and neck

Smoking tobacco

Not producing enough saliva

Taking medications that contain the chemical bismuth

Use mouthwash that contains peroxide, witch hazel, or menthol

Treatment for black hairy tongue

Practice better oral hygiene:

A lack of oral hygiene often causes black tongue. Not brushing or flossing frequently, united with an unhealthy diet can cause black tongue. The main treatments for black tongue are brushing teeth at least twice a day, flossing once, and brushing the tongue each day.

Diet:

Change your diet. Add some variety and more roughage to the diet as soft food won’t clean off tongue effectively. This food generally pertains to those with a harder, rougher texture like apples and pears.

Remove outside irritants:

Black tongue can also be the result of a reaction to certain medications such as Pepto-Bismol, regularly because of the presence of the chemical bismuth. Certain mouthwashes, particularly those have peroxide or menthol can cause black tongue. Alternative mouthwash can be used.

Don’t use tobacco:

blackening of the tongue can be caused by the use of cigarettes or chewing tobacco, with a fuzzy or otherwise strange texture. This may continue on and off until the use of tobacco is stoped.

Brush after eating or drinking:

Brush the teeth ideally after every meal using fluoride-containing toothpaste. At least try to rinse the mouth with water if you can’t brush after eating.

Creams:

Fungal infection may also cause hairy tongue so anti-fungal creams can be used to teat it.

Drink plenty of water:

Not receiving sufficient fluids can also lead to black tongue. Drink plenty of water to keep the mouth clean and to prevent mouth from drying. Diluted peroxide water can be used to rinse the mouth. Rinse it again with water afterwards.

Pineapple:

Take pineapple slices and slowly suck up the juice of each piece of pineapple, by placing it at the back of the tongue. Place it for about 40 seconds and then chew it. Repeat the procedure with the rest of the slices, twice a day for a week.

Kick the Habit:

People who drink coffee and tea heavily as well as tobacco-smokers are at the risk of Hairy tongue. Lessen your coffee and tea consumption, also smoke less.