Black hairy tongue

Background

• Benign reactive process
• Hyperplasia and increased pigmentation of filiform papille

Inciting Causes

• Smoking
• GERD
• Antibiotics
• Poor hygiene

Clinical Features

Black hairy tongue

Differential Diagnosis

Tongue diagnoses

• Tongue laceration
• Strawberry tongue
• Black hairy tongue
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush)
• Hairy Oral Leukoplakia
• Tongue swelling
  • Trauma
  • Angioedema
    • Hereditary
    • Allergic (ACE)
    • Idiopathic

Management

• Treat with improved oral hygiene, gentle brushing, and a reducing pigment intake

See Also

• Tongue Diagnoses