THE CURSE OF THE BLACK TONGUE

If you look in the mirror and notice your tongue is black—don’t panic! Although alarming, a condition called black (or hairy) tongue is a harmless, painless nuisance. The top surface of your tongue is covered by little finger-like projections called papillae (puh-‘pill-i). For reasons unknown, papillae can grow long like fur and might need to be trimmed. The color can range from black, green, orange, and yellow to brown, reacting to the color in foods and chromatic bacteria.

Papillae trap bacteria and yeast creating bad breath and a stale taste in your mouth. This condition can occur at any age; however, we know that, generally, healthy people do not experience black tongue. There are several factors that might cause this condition, including— .

    medications that cause xerostomia (dry mouth).
    using hydrogen peroxide as an oral rinse.
    taking an antibiotic.
    using tobacco products or drinking alcoholic beverages.
    chemotherapy or radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.

You increase your chances of having this condition if you—

    aren’t eating a healthy diet.
    are ill or dehydrated.
    have a compromised immune system.
    have a chronic health issue like uncontrolled diabetes.

The good news is that it is not cancer or anything sinister, and it is easily treated with simple home oral care instructions. It will go away in about two weeks, and there won’t be any complications. However, let us examine your tongue and other oral tissues to rule out harmful conditions.