What Is Black Tongue?

As the name implies, black tongue is a condition in which the surface of the tongue darkens. Black hairy tongue is a similar condition, in which dark, hair-like growths appear on the tongue. Though inconvenient, the condition is harmless.

Other Names

• Black tongue is sometimes called brown tongue. Glossophytis is the correct medical term for black hairy tongue.

Who Is at Risk?

• Anyone can get black tongue, but the condition is most common in the elderly and people who are ill, especially those that take a lot of medications.

Causes

• Poor diet, bad oral hygiene and antibiotics can all cause black tongue. Black hairy tongue is usually caused by an excess of bacteria or yeast in the mouth, though sometimes the cause can not be determined.

Symptoms

• In addition to discoloration, black tongue can cause dryness, bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Treatment

• Black tongue caused by antibiotics can be improved by stopping or changing medications. Proper diet, drinking water, eating raw vegetables, quitting tobacco products and practicing good oral hygiene are all recommended for treating black tongue.