BLACK HAIRY TONGUE

The name black hairy tongue may sound scary, but the condition is harmless. Black hairy tongue is caused by bacteria or fungi in the mouth, which make the tongue, appear black and hairy. It's easily remedied by good oral hygiene.

While it is always alarming to see, a black tongue generally is not a sign of anything serious. You might also notice that your tongue looks slightly hairy. Those are not hairs. These are both signs of a temporary condition that’s sometimes called “black, hairy tongue.”

CAUSES

A black hairy tongue is caused by too much bacteria or yeast growth in the mouth. Your tongue is covered in hundreds of tiny bumps called papillae. Usually, you don’t notice them much. But when dead skin cells start to collect on their tips, they start to look longer and visible.

They are easily stained by bacteria and other substances, these gives your tongue a black, furry appearance.

Experts aren’t sure why the tongue sometimes stops shedding dead skin cells, but it may be related to:

• Poor oral hygiene. Dead skin cells are more likely to accumulate on the tongue if not regularly brushed.
• Low saliva production. Saliva helps you swallow dead skin cells. When you don’t produce enough saliva, these dead skin cells can hang around on your tongue.
• Liquid diet. Eating solid foods helps to scrape dead skin cells off your tongue. If you take more of liquid diet, it may slow removal of dead skin cells.
• Medication side effects. Some medications causes dry mouth effects as a side effect. This inversely will aid accumulation of dead skins in the mouth/tongue.

Normally, the papillae are pinkish-white. But as they grow, pigments from food, drinks, and possibly the bacteria or yeast themselves get caught in the papillae, dyeing the tongue a color. Most often that color is black, hence the name. But the tongue can also turn brown, yellow, green, or a variety of other colors.

WHY IT TURNS BLACK

Contributing factors include:

• Antibiotics. Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in your body. This can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in your mouth, allowing certain yeasts and bacteria to thrive.
• Tobacco. Whether you are smoking or chewing it, tobacco is one of the biggest risk factors for black tongue. Tobacco easily stains the elongated papillae on your tongue.
• Drinking coffee or tea. Coffee and tea can also easily stain elongated papillae, especially if you drink a lot of either of them.
• Some mouthwashes. Certain harsh mouthwashes that contain oxidizing agents, such as peroxide, can affect the balance of bacteria in your mouth.
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). Bismuth subsalicylate is a common ingredient in some over-the-counter gastrointestinal medications. When it reacts with traces of sulfur in your mouth, it can stain your tongue, making it appear black.
• Low Saliva. Not producing enough saliva increases the chances of dead cell clinging to the papillae
• Poor Oral Hygiene

SYMPTOMS

Other than the discoloration of the tongue, most people with black hairy tongue don't have any symptoms or feel any discomfort. The exception is when there is too much growth of the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause a burning sensation on the tongue. This burning sensation is called glossopyrosis.

Some people complain of a tickling feeling in the back of the roof of the mouth, a metallic taste in their mouth, or nausea. In more severe cases, the condition may lead to a gagging feeling. Sometimes, food getting caught inside the extra-long papillae can cause bad breath.

TREATMENT

A black tongue usually doesn’t require much treatment. In most cases, regularly brushing your tongue with a toothbrush should help to remove dead skin cells and stains within a few days.

If you suspect that a medication or prescribed liquid diet is causing your black tongue, make an appointment with your doctor. They might be able to adjust your dosage or prescribe an antifungal or antibacterial medication to help manage yeast or bacteria in your mouth.

For stubborn elongated papillae, a doctor can remove them using carbon dioxide laser burning or electrodessication, which simultaneously cuts and seals the papillae.

However, you can usually take care of the condition yourself:

• Brush your tongue. Brush your tongue twice a day to help manually remove dead skin cells and bacteria.
• Use a tongue scrapper. Using a tongue scraper every time you brush your teeth will help keep skin cells from accumulating on your papillae.
• Brush after eating. Brushing your teeth and tongue after every meal will help keep food debris and bacteria from getting trapped in the papillae.
• Brush after drinking. Brushing after drinking coffee, tea, and alcohol will help prevent staining.
• Stop using tobacco products. Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Floss before bed. Flossing your teeth at least once per day will prevent food debris and plaque from building up in your mouth.
• Schedule a cleaning. Getting a cleaning at your dentist’s office will help you maintain good oral health.
• Drink plenty of water. This will help keep your mouth hydrated, which allows you to swallow dead skin cells.
• Chew gum. Chewing a sugar-free gum, or a gum designed for people with dry mouth, will help you produce more saliva to wash down dead skin cells. As you chew, the gum also helps to dislodge trapped skin cells.
• Eat a healthy diet. A diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains will help you maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your mouth.