Black Hairy Tongue

If your tongue is black but you have not been licking a licorice lollipop or sucking a grape sourball, it may be a sign of a condition aptly named black hairy tongue medically called LINGUA VILLOSA NIGRA. When the tongue hairs fail to shed, they can overgrow and trap bacteria and food. As a result, the tongue turns a dark brown, green, or even dark yellow.

Black hairy tongue can be a telltale sign that you smoke, chew tobacco, and /or practice poor oral hygiene. Ironically, it can also be a sign of excessive use of mouthwash. Not surprisingly, people with this condition often have halitosis (bad breath) as well.

In addition, black hairy tognue can be a reaction to antibiotics or to stomach medications containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol. It is sometimes seen in people who undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment for head and neck cancers. Finally, black hairy tongue can also be a warning sign of poorly managed diabetes.