Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that the top of your tongue is black and has little hair-like growths? It can be a bit scary to see, right? But don't worry. This is usually not a serious problem. Today we are going to talk about this strange-looking tongue condition, called ``Black Hairy Tongue''.
What exactly is this 'Black Hairy Tongue'?
Simply put, a 'black hairy tongue' is a temporary, harmless, and common condition. It's where the top surface of your tongue looks like hair. However, it's not actually hair. The other thing is, it's not always black. Sometimes it can appear brown, green, white, or other colors.
Now look, on the surface of our tongue, there are many small bumps. We call these ``filiform papillae''. These are usually about a millimeter long. Just like our dead skin cells are shed, these bumps are constantly being replaced by new ones. This process is called ``desquamation''. However, if for some reason these bumps are not shed properly, they start to grow longer. As they grow longer, food particles, bacteria, and dead skin cells accumulate on them. That accumulation is what gives the tongue its different colors. Imagine, these bumps can grow up to 18 millimeters long, or about 3/4 of an inch!
How common is this situation?
According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine, about 13 percent of people will develop this condition in their lifetime. That means it's not that uncommon. Although anyone can develop it, it's slightly more common in men and in people over the age of 65.
What symptoms does a person with 'black hairy tongue' experience?
In most cases, the only symptom is a change in the appearance of the tongue. This means that the tongue may turn black, have a different color, or look hairy. This is usually not painful. However, some people may experience additional symptoms. These include:
- A burning sensation on the tongue, a tingling sensation, or a feeling of nausea.
- Bad breath .
- The taste of food changes. Sometimes, you may not be able to taste the real taste of food.
Why does this happen? What are the causes of 'black hairy tongue'?
Two of the main causes of a 'black hairy tongue' are poor oral hygiene and eating only very soft foods. Do you know what? In order for those bumps on the tongue that I mentioned earlier to come off, there needs to be some kind of pressure or rubbing on the surface of the tongue. If the food we eat is a little rough, it helps this process.
In addition to these two main reasons, there are several other reasons that can affect this situation:
- Drinking a lot of coffee and tea: If you drink several cups of coffee or tea a day, you may also be at risk.
- Tobacco use: This is commonly seen in people who smoke cigarettes and chew gum.
- Heavy alcohol use.
- Certain medications: These types of side effects can occur when you continue to use certain medications, especially antibiotics.
- Radiation therapy: This condition is also likely to occur in people who receive radiation therapy to the neck and head areas for diseases such as cancer.
- Dry mouth / Xerostomia: When the production of saliva in the mouth decreases, the mouth becomes dry. This can also cause a 'black hairy tongue'.
- Some mouthwashes: This condition can also be seen when using mouthwashes, especially those that contain things like peroxide.
Imagine, if we drink coffee all day, smoke a cigarette or two, and go to bed without even brushing our teeth properly at night, what happens to those little bumps (`papillae`) on our tongue? They don't even come off properly, and on top of that, the color from coffee and tea also gets deposited on them. That's when this 'black hairy tongue' problem arises.
What does a black tongue really mean?
Most of the time, a black, hairy tongue means you need to take a little more care with your oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue properly. However, in rare cases, it can also be caused by a bacterial or fungal overgrowth. In such cases, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications.
How does a doctor recognize this?
In most cases, a doctor can tell if you have a black hairy tongue by looking at your tongue. Usually, no tests are needed. However, if there is any doubt about the diagnosis, or if the doctor thinks there is another problem besides the black hairy tongue, they may order a biopsy to take a small piece of tissue from your tongue for testing. However, this is very rare.
How to cure 'black hairy tongue'? What treatments are available?
Treating a 'black hairy tongue' is usually not that difficult. In most cases, it can be treated with simple things you can do at home.
Maintaining good oral health
If you have a 'black hairy tongue' condition, the first thing you need to do is take good care of your oral hygiene. After brushing and flossing, you should also clean your tongue thoroughly. You can use a toothbrush or a tongue scraper for this. It is best to clean your tongue in this way at least twice a day.
Types of drugs
If your hairy tongue doesn't improve despite good oral hygiene, your doctor may prescribe medications. These may include antibiotics, antifungal medications, special mouthwashes, or medications called retinoids, which are related to vitamin A.
Surgery
This is a very rare procedure. Only when no other treatment can cure the condition will doctors consider surgery. This can be done using either traditional surgery or laser surgery.
How long will it take for this condition to heal?
The good news is that most of the time, the symptoms of 'black hairy tongue' will go away on their own within a week or two, especially if you take care of your oral hygiene. However, if your symptoms last longer than that, be sure to see a doctor to discuss treatment.
What can we do to reduce the occurrence of 'black hairy tongue'?
There are a few simple things we can do to prevent or reduce the risk of this 'black hairy tongue' condition:
- Daily tongue cleaning: Use a toothbrush or tongue scraper to thoroughly clean the surface of your tongue. This will remove the raised bumps (papillae) and any food particles or bacteria that may be stuck there.
- Good dental hygiene habits: Brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and keep seeing a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
- Reducing some things:
- Reduce the use of coffee, tea, tobacco, and alcohol as much as possible.
- Dietary changes: Instead of eating only soft foods, include some fibrous, rough foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables) in your diet. This will help to naturally clean the surface of your tongue.
- Changing your mouthwash: Check to see if the mouthwash you are using contains oxidizing agents like peroxide. If so, try stopping using that type of mouthwash.
- Be careful with medications: If you or your doctor suspect that a medication you are taking is causing your 'black hairy tongue' condition, talk to your doctor about changing that medication. Never stop taking your medication without medical advice.
Are there any long-term effects on someone who has recovered from 'black hairy tongue'?
Once the cause of your 'hairy tongue' is identified, you can treat it and take steps to prevent it from recurring. In most cases, this involves making small lifestyle changes, such as brushing your tongue daily. Therefore, it may not have a significant long-term impact.
When should I see a doctor?
You can try home remedies first. For example, cleaning your tongue thoroughly with a brush or a tongue scraper, and cutting down on coffee. However, if these things don't help, be sure to see a doctor. Also, if you suspect that this may be caused by a medication you are taking, don't stop taking it without talking to your doctor.
One more thing to remember. I mentioned that this 'black hairy tongue' can come in different colors. Sometimes, if your tongue has a white, hairy appearance (white hairy tongue), it could be due to another condition called ``hairy leukoplakia''. This can sometimes be a sign of a viral infection. Therefore, it is best to seek medical advice if in doubt.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
The term 'Black Hairy Tongue' can be a bit scary to hear and see. However, remember, this condition is usually harmless and is very easy to treat.
If you notice something like this, don't panic first, and try some simple things you can do at home. Keep your mouth clean, brush your tongue. Most of the time, that will solve the problem.
However, if you still have no improvement, or if you have serious doubts or concerns about this, don't delay in seeing a doctor. Your doctor can find out the real cause and give you the necessary advice to keep your tongue healthy.
` Blackening of the tongue, Black hairy tongue, Hairy tongue, Tongue spots, Oral health, Black Hairy Tongue, Tongue infections
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