The following features are indicative of Black Hairy Tongue:
black discoloration of the tongue
hairy or furry appearance of the tongue
altered taste or metallic taste in mouth
bad breath
gagging or tickling sensation
It is possible that Black Hairy Tongue shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Black Hairy Tongue
The following are the most common causes of Black Hairy Tongue:
changes in the normal bacteria or yeast content of the mouth after antibiotics use
poor oral hygiene
dry mouth (xerostomia)
regular use of mouthwashes containing irritating oxidizing agents, such as peroxide
tobacco use
drinking excessive amounts of coffee or black tea
excessive alcohol use
Risk Factors for Black Hairy Tongue
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Black Hairy Tongue:
poor oral hygiene
dry mouth (xerostomia)
regular use of mouthwashes containing irritating oxidizing agents
tobacco use
drinking excessive amounts of coffee or black tea
excessive alcohol use
Prevention of Black Hairy Tongue
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Black Hairy Tongue. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
practicing good oral hygiene
use tongue cleaning devices
avoid smoking
Occurrence of Black Hairy Tongue
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Black Hairy Tongue cases seen each year worldwide:
Extremely rare less than 1000 cases
Common Age Group
Black Hairy Tongue can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Black Hairy Tongue can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Black Hairy Tongue
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Black Hairy Tongue:
Physical examination: To check fungal or viral infections, blackened tongue and normal variations in tongue color
Doctor for Diagnosis of Black Hairy Tongue
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Black Hairy Tongue:
Dentists
Complications of Black Hairy Tongue if untreated
Yes, Black Hairy Tongue causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Black Hairy Tongue is left untreated:
burning mouth syndrome
halitosis
nausea
gagging
dysgeusia
Self-care for Black Hairy Tongue
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Black Hairy Tongue:
Brushing the tongue with a soft toothbrush: To remove dead cells, bacteria and food debris
Brush after eating: Brush the teeth at least twice a day after every meal, using fluoride toothpaste to keep tongue clean
Regular dentist visit: Helps to prevent oral problems or spots
Maintain good nutrition: Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet to stay healthy
Time for Treatment of Black Hairy Tongue
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Black Hairy Tongue to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
Within 1 week
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Black Hairy Tongue.
