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Hair Growing in the Mouth
A black, hairy tongue might seem inconceivable, but this benign, self-limiting condition can occur at a prevalence of between .15 to 11 percent, depending on the population considered, according to an April 2008 article in the "Canadian Medical Association Journal." Although there's no definitive cause of hair growing in the mouth, it's associated with certain risk factors and expediently resolved, usually without the need for medical intervention 123.
Identification
Black, hairy tongue, known in medical terms as lingua villosa nigra, presents as a curious black, yellow or brown coating on the top of your tongue that might look furry or hairy, according to the Mayo Clinic 123. The tips and sides of your tongue generally appear unaffected. Along with being aesthetically displeasing, you might also notice a metallic taste in your mouth and experience bad breath. Some people experience a heightened gag reflex.
- Black, hairy tongue, known in medical terms as lingua villosa nigra, presents as a curious black, yellow or brown coating on the top of your tongue that might look furry or hairy, according to the Mayo Clinic 1.
- Along with being aesthetically displeasing, you might also notice a metallic taste in your mouth and experience bad breath.
Causes
What Are the Causes of Tongue Skin Tags?
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The hair that you see is an illusion when the tiny projections on your tongue, papillae, become elongated and don't shed on a normal time-table. According to the "Canadian Medical Association Journal," age is another factor, most likely due to many years of smoking and drinking coffee 2.
Self-Treatment
According to Skinsight.com, hairy tongue may resolve by brushing your tongue gently twice and day, rinsing with one part hydrogen peroxide to five parts water, and following up with a final rinse of plain water 3. The Mayo Clinic suggests avoiding factors known to contribute to hairy tongue, such as smoking and using medications that contain bismuth 1. However, don't discontinue a medication your doctor or dentist has recommended or prescribed without talking to him first.
Medical Treatment
Causes of Black Tongue
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Hairy tongue generally resolves with self-care; however, more troublesome cases may require use of antifungals, retinoids and mouthwashes, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal 2. When all else fails, medical treatment may include clipping or removing the papillae using laser treatments or electrodesiccation.
Prevention
Prevent black, hairy tongue by using good oral hygiene every day 1. The Mayo Clinic advises brushing your teeth at least once a day—and if possible after every meal—using soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to brush your tongue with your toothbrush or use a tongue scraper. Floss daily to remove small particles of debris that get caught between your teeth. See your dentist routinely for cleanings and oral examinations so you can nip problems in the bud.
- Prevent black, hairy tongue by using good oral hygiene every day 1.
- See your dentist routinely for cleanings and oral examinations so you can nip problems in the bud.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Black, Hairy Tongue
- Canadian Medical Association Journal: Black Hairy Tongue
- Skinsight: Hairy Tongue in Adults
- Kim AM, Keenan BT, Jackson N, et al. Tongue fat and its relationship to obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep. 2014;37(10):1639–1648. Published 2014 Oct 1. doi:10.5665/sleep.4072
- Bartlett JA, van der Voort Maarschalk K. Understanding the oral mucosal absorption and resulting clinical pharmacokinetics of asenapine. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2012;13(4):1110–1115. doi:10.1208/s12249-012-9839-7
- National Organization for Rare Diseases. Tongue Cancer.
- Dotiwala AK, Samra NS. Anatomy, head and neck, tongue. [Updated 2019 Feb 8]. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan.
- Moore KL and AF Dalley. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 4th edition, 1999, pp. 940-947.
- Stone M, et al. Structure and variability in human tongue muscle anatomy. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Eng Imaging Vis. 2018;6(5):499–507. Published online 2016 Apr 8. doi:10.1080/21681163.2016.1162752
Writer Bio
Lisa Sefcik has been writing professionally since 1987. Her subject matter includes pet care, travel, consumer reviews, classical music and entertainment. She's worked as a policy analyst, news reporter and freelance writer/columnist for Cox Publications and numerous national print publications. Sefcik holds a paralegal certification as well as degrees in journalism and piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin.