Black Hairy Tongue: What It Is And What to Do About It

Are You Asking Yourself, “Why Do I Have a Black Tongue?”

Did you wake up this morning with a black tongue? Does your tongue appear to have hair on it? If so, you are probably wondering how you can fix this as soon as possible. This article will help you understand what causes the condition known as “black hairy tongue” and how you can cure it.  

Black Tongue Meaning 

As you might already know, the tongue is not supposed to be black. It is supposed to be a light pink color. However, certain conditions can make your tongue turn different colors. In this case, your tongue turns black.  

Also, the papillae on your tongue grow longer. They resemble black hairs on your tongue. This happens because dead cells have accumulated on the top of your tongue.  

Here’s the good news, black hairy tongue isn’t a harmful condition. It will usually go away by itself. The only real symptoms are bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, and embarrassment. 

What Causes Black Hairy Tongue? 

There are a few different things that can cause this condition. Fortunately, each of these causes is preventable. 

The causes include: 

•   Lack of oral hygiene 

•   Certain medications (like Pepto-Bismol) 

•   Smoking 

•   Too many soft foods in your diet 

•   Persistent dry mouth 

If any of these factors are present, you should refrain from them. It is very likely that they are causing your condition.   

Black Tongue Treatment 

The best way to cure black hairy tongue is to make sure you keep up your oral hygiene. Doing this will get rid of the condition and keep it from returning. When you brush your teeth, make sure you include your tongue. Brushing your tongue consistently will remove the dead cells from your tongue. A tongue scraper can also help you fix the issue as well.  

Drink a lot of water daily. This helps you maintain a clean mouth. Also, pay closer attention to the foods you eat. Don’t eat mostly soft foods. Add harder foods to your daily diet. Harder foods will help you remove the dead cells from your tongue.  

There are also certain medications you can use to ease the symptoms. If the symptoms get worse, then it’s possible that you will need to have the papillae removed surgically.  

As you have undoubtedly found out, a black hairy tongue can be a huge inconvenience. Now that you know how to get rid of it and keep it from returning, you can begin taking the proper steps. Speak with your dentist to find out what other steps you can take.  

Maiden Lane Dental is here to help you. We are located in the Financial District of NYC. You can easily get to us by train and bus. You can view our directions on our website. Feel free to contact us to set up a consultation and let us start helping you with your oral hygiene to get rid of your black hairy tongue.