Black Tongue Treatment: 2 Effective Ways To Prevent It

The tongue is made up of tiny bumps, which are sensory receptors called taste buds that allow it to detect different flavors. Black tongue, also known as the black hairy tongue is a benign oral condition, both temporary and harmless. Thus, making black tongue treatment unnecessary, unless it causes pain or has other complications.

It is characterized by an accumulation of dead cells at the level of the taste buds, specifically, filiform papillae. There is an elongation and a change in the color of these papillae: they are darker, between brown and black, generating the appearance of “hairs” on the tongue.

Next, it will be presented how black hairy tongue is diagnosed, if it is possible to prevent it, the specific treatment, and what care should be taken by those who present the condition.

Diagnosis for black tongue or hairy tongue 

Having a black tongue can be disturbing, although this condition does not cause health problems, pain, or discomfort. Nonetheless, it is aesthetically quite unpleasant.

During a dental clinical examination, if the dentist observes this condition, he or she may ask the patient questions about their daily routine to determine the cause of the black hairy tongue. They want to know about:

• Oral hygiene habits: How many times a day do you brush your teeth and clean your tongue? What mouthwashes do you use?

• Medication intake: Are you taking any antibiotics?

• Habits: Do you smoke? Or do you have another habit such as alcohol consumption?

• Systemic diseases: Do you suffer from any disease?

• Oral conditions: Do you have a dry mouth? How long ago?

• Feeding: Is your diet soft?

• Drinks: Do you consume a lot of coffee or black tea?

The dentist will also inquire about how long you have had the black color on your tongue if you have any symptoms or discomfort, if you have bad breath, and if you have ever had this condition before.

The answer to these and other questions, in addition to the required dental clinical examination, will help to make a differential diagnosis and rule out the presence of a condition with symptoms similar to black hairy tongue, such as:

• Neoplastic diseases (cancer)

• Autoimmune diseases (HIV)

• Melanin spots on the tongue

• Food or medicines that have stained the tongue

• Fungal or viral infections

• Oral lesions such as hairy leukoplakia

• Black tongue associated with the use of bismuth-containing products, such as Pepto-Bismol, used to treat an upset stomach.

• Hairy black pseudo tongue, associated with infection by fungi, bacteria, or another oral disease.

In some cases, when the clinical examination and questions indicate an irregularity or the diagnosis is not clear, the dentist may request a biopsy of the black or brown tissue observed on the tongue.

Prevention of a black hairy tongue 

Preventing hairy tongue is possible if the following recommendations are followed:

1. Proper oral hygiene

Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day and use dental floss. Additionally, clean the tongue by scraping it with a soft bristle brush or a tongue cleaner. The most appropriate hygiene technique is to scrape the tongue from the inside out several times, thus eliminating food debris, bacteria, plaque, and any dead cells on the papillae. To learn more about oral hygiene routines, click on this article.

2. Increase mouth moisture

Having a dry mouth can cause a black tongue, so it is recommended to drink plenty of water and chew gum containing xylitol to increase saliva flow. In some cases of xerostomia (dry mouth), it may be advisable to use saliva substitutes, or occasionally rinse the mouth with a mixture of a tablespoon of salt dissolved in a glass of water.

Remember that the best way to prevent this and other oral diseases is to make regular visits to the dentist; according to the ADA (American Dental Association) these visits must be made at least twice a year; Acquiring this good habit allows for early detection of changes that occur in the teeth, tongue and mouth in general, and avoids future complications.

Black tongue treatments

A black tongue does not have a specific medical or dental treatment; Therefore, the recommendations to prevent it can be considered as a home treatment if it has already occurred.

Treatment will eliminate the factors that favor the appearance of this condition; therefore, in addition to good oral hygiene and increasing mouth moisture, it is recommended to:

• Eat in a balanced way: Add more raw vegetables and fruits to your diet

• Avoid a bland diet: Eat solid food; since it will perform an abrasive action on the tongue, allowing it to be exfoliated and thus preventing the papillae from elongating.

• Give up smoking: Quitting smoking is not only beneficial for your overall health but also essential for maintaining good oral hygiene, as it significantly reduces the risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer.

• Avoid ingesting drinks or food with an excessive amount of coloration: Coffee, black tea, red wine, black licorice, among others.

When to see the dentist?

It is recommended to visit the dentist if you have symptoms of pain, inflammation, or infection. If after several days, at least a week, following the recommendations at home, the black hairy tongue does not improve or return to normal, it is advisable to visit the dentist or a doctor to detect the cause of the condition.

Depending upon the findings and the diagnosis, the specialist could indicate a treatment such as:

• Antibiotics: to help eliminate persistent bacterial infections

• Antifungals: In case of a fungal infection

• Changing medications: If the black tongue is associated with the use of certain medications, the specialist could indicate the need for a change

• Drug prescription: Retinoids, salicylic acid, and vitamin B can be sent by the specialist to treat this condition; Remember to only use them in case of medical prescription, and do not self-medicate

• Surgery: If the above treatments do not work, the hairy area can be removed with surgery.

Black tongue is a harmless condition. It is cosmetically uncomfortable, but it does not normally cause any oral or systemic problems. It may go away by following the recommendations outlined in this article.