Black hairy tongue

Overview

The tiny bumps on the tongue grow longer and trap bacteria and stains, turning dark.

Smoking, coffee, tea, poor brushing, and antibiotics make it more likely.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Dark furry tongue
• Black, brown, or furry-looking tongue

Less common

• Bad breath
• Metallic taste

When to get medical care

Causes

Poor cleaning, smoking, antibiotics.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis by looking.

Treatment

Brush the tongue.

Self-care

• Use a tongue scraper
• Stop smoking
• Brush your tongue twice a day
• Drink water
• Brush the tongue

Prevention

To lower your risk or prevent problems:

• Brush tongue daily
• Don't smoke

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a dentist or an ENT doctor (ear, nose, and throat doctor).

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Older adults and smokers: More common.
• Smokers: Higher risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Harmless.

Clears with tongue cleaning.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Could my medicines cause this?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Black hairy tongue