We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Show While it may be alarming to see, a black tongue generally isn’t a sign of anything serious. You might also notice that your tongue looks slightly hairy. But rest assured, those aren’t hairs. These are both signs of a temporary condition called black hairy tongue. Read on to learn more about why this happens and how you can treat it. Your tongue is covered in hundreds of tiny bumps called papillae. Usually, you don’t notice them much. But when dead skin cells start to collect on their tips, they start to look longer. These long papillae are easily stained by bacteria and other substances, giving your tongue a black, furry appearance. In most cases, a black appearance is the only symptom, but sometimes black hairy tongue can be accompanied by feelings of burning, gagging, and tingling. You might also experience bad breath or an unusual taste in your mouth. Experts aren’t sure why the tongue sometimes stops shedding dead skin cells, but it may be related to:
When your tongue stops shedding dead skin cells, other substances can stain it. Some of these substances include:
If your symptoms do not go away after a few days and with at-home treatment, see a doctor. A doctor can diagnose black hairy tongue by visually inspecting your tongue and considering your medical history. Your doctor may scrape your tongue to see whether the color begins to fade. If it does, it indicates you may have black hairy tongue. Your doctor can help identify the cause of your black tongue and eliminate other conditions that may be causing the discoloration, like a fungal or bacterial infection. A black tongue usually doesn’t require much treatment. In most cases, regularly brushing your tongue with a toothbrush should help remove dead skin cells and stains within a few days. If you suspect that a medication or prescribed liquid diet is causing your black tongue, make an appointment with your doctor. They might be able to adjust your dosage or prescribe an antifungal or antibacterial medication to help manage yeast or bacteria in your mouth. Your doctor may also prescribe a topical retinoid medication to help increase cell turnover on your tongue. For stubborn elongated papillae, a doctor can remove them using carbon dioxide laser burning or electrodessication, which simultaneously cuts and seals the papillae. However, you can usually take care of the condition yourself:
Having a black tongue is harmless and temporary. With a few lifestyle changes, you should see quick improvement. If you’re still noticing a black color after a week or two, make an appointment with a doctor. You may need to adjust your medication dosage or have the elongated papillae removed. How do you get rid of black tongue from Pepto?Bismuth products, such as Pepto-Bismol, can turn your tongue black. The black appearance will go away after you stop taking the medicine.
Why did my tongue turn black after taking Pepto Bismol?One common side effect is your poo or your tongue turning black. This is harmless. This happens when bismuth (the active ingredient in this medicine) comes into contact with small amounts of sulphur in your saliva and digestive system. They combine to form bismuth sulfide, a black substance.
How long does black tongue last?In most cases, black hairy tongue symptoms will go away on their own in about one to two weeks. If your symptoms last longer, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.
Why did my tongue turn black overnight?Black hairy tongue is caused by an overgrowth of dead skin cells, causing lengthening of the papillae, and staining from bacteria, yeast, food, tobacco or other substances in the mouth. Black hairy tongue is a temporary, harmless oral condition that gives the tongue a dark, furry appearance.
How can I get rid of black spots on my tongue naturally?Treatment. Brush your tongue. Using a soft toothbrush, gently brush your tongue twice a day to help manually remove dead skin cells and bacteria.. Use a tongue scrapper. ... . Brush after eating. ... . Brush after drinking. ... . Stop using tobacco products. ... . Floss before bed. ... . Schedule a cleaning. ... . Drink plenty of water.. |