Common Causes Of Black Hairy Tongue

It might sound scary, but a black hairy tongue is generally benign. It is more of an embarrassing condition than one that needs medical attention. The condition happens when the papillae that lay on top of the tongue grown too long. Sometimes, they do not shed properly, which lets them grow longer. When they grow longer, they can capture the color from food and beverages, bacteria, or even yeast. There are various reasons this might happen, though thankfully there are also ways to eliminate and prevent it from happening. Patients may have to be diligent and even change some of their eating and drinking habits. Understanding why it is happening is the key to treating a black hairy tongue.

Xerostomia

Xerostomia, dry mouth, is caused by a change of saliva in the mouth. Sometimes, there is no reason why it happens. However, one of the most common reasons for xerostomia is as a side effect of certain medications. It can also be caused by breathing through the mouth. There are other reasons why patients might experience dry mouth, but there are also things individuals can do to reduce or eliminate dry mouth that might be causing a black hairy tongue. There are special mouthwashes patients can use to help get rid of xerostomia. Patients could also consider asking their doctor if they can switch medications so they might get one that doesn't cause xerostomia as a side effect. If patients do not try to combat dry mouth, it can lead to other problems, such as tooth decay and acid erosion.

Prolonged Soft Diets

Prolonged soft diets can contribute to and even cause a black hairy tongue. With a normal diet, individuals consume foods of varying textures. These foods can help remove foreign material, food debris, microorganisms, and damaged or dead tissue from the surface of the tongue. When individuals only eat soft food, it can build up on the tongue and cause a thick surface. This build-up can cause discoloration and create a black hairy tongue, though the tongue does not necessarily have to be black. It can present with different colors, like green or pink. It is important to try to eat different textures, so when individuals chew food, it helps remove excess debris and microorganisms from the tongue. Doing this will help keep their tongue healthy and avoid a black hairy tongue.