Black hairy tongue disease is caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, dehydration, and an overgrowth of bacteria on the tongue. It affects both males and females of any age, though it is more common in older individuals and those who use drugs. The main symptoms are elongated filiform papillae on the front two-thirds of the tongue that can appear black, brown or other colors. While usually asymptomatic, some patients report a burning sensation. Treatment involves gentle brushing and mouthwashes to resolve the condition within days by reducing bacteria overgrowth.

1. Lingua Villosa
Black Hairy Tongue Disease

2. Caused By
• poor oral hygiene
• smoking
• drinking alcohol
• drinking coffee or tea
• overgrowth of bacteria
• dehydration
• poor diet

3. People Affected
• Both genders; more common in males but not
uncommon for females
• 8.3% in children and
young adults
• 57% in persons who are
addicted to drugs
• Occurs at any age; more
frequent in older age
• No racial association

4. Symptoms
• Filiform papillae become 15 mm (normal filiform papillae are 1
mm)
• Affects front two-thirds of the tongue
• Tongue can turn yellow, orange, green, brown, black, pink or white
• Usually asymptomatic, but occasionally patients feel a tickling
sensation
• In severe cases a gagging reaction may occur

5. overgrowth
• Some people with the disease experience an occasional
burning sensation.
• The burning sensation comes from overgrowth of candida
albicans
• Overgrowth of candida albicans can lead to glossopyrosis
*Candida Albicans- Diploid fungus that grows into a yeast
*Glossopyrosis- Oral condition causing burning sensation

6. Treatments
• Gently brush tongue with a toothbrush two times a day
• Rinse mouth with dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide
• Scraping or biopsy is recommended if the first two do not work
• This disease can be resolved as early as three days

7. Works Cited
Falace, D. (2008, Januray). Hairy Tongue. American Academy of Oral Medicine.
Retrieved from http://www.aaom.com/patients/hairy-tongue/
James, W., & Lynch, D. (2012, January 17). Hairy Tongue. Medscape Reference.
Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1075886-overview
Bolognia, J. (2008, December 22). Hairy Tongue. Skinsight. Retrieved from
http://www.skinsight.com/adult/hairyTongue.htm
Wyatt, A. (2011, March 7). Black Hairy Tongue. Webmd. Retrieved from
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health
Ramasakal, A. (2007, December 6). Lingua Vallosa Nigra. New England Journal of
Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm065655