When this occurs, the papillae easily trap debris and bacteria that are normally in the mouth. The bacteria multiply, producing a dark area on the tongue.
Black hairy tongue refers to the color of the bacteria (which can appear dark or black) and the overgrown papillae, which give the tongue a hairy or furry appearance. The condition is noncancerous (benign) and is not an infection; it's something like moss growing on a rock.
The cause of black hairy tongue is not known. The condition is not common in healthy people and is very mild when it does occur in healthy people.
However, some people are at higher risk of developing the condition. Poor oral hygiene is by far the most common factor associated with black hairy tongue. You also are at higher risk of developing black hairy tongue if you:
The obvious sign of black hairy tongue is a coating of bacteria and debris on the tongue. The coating is usually located in the middle to back of the tongue, and can be green, brown, black, white or yellow.
In most cases, your dentist or doctor can easily diagnose black hairy tongue based on your tongue's appearance and the information that you supply.
If you have a systemic disease such as diabetes, see your doctor regularly to keep it under control.
People being treated for head and neck cancer should be aware that good oral hygiene is important during chemotherapy and radiation therapy. During your cancer treatment, visit your dentist regularly so he or she can detect any oral conditions or infections associated with your cancer therapy.
Because there is no internal infection, you will not receive antibiotics for black hairy tongue. If taking antibiotics helped the condition to establish itself, stopping the treatment will help it go away.
