Hairy tongue: Black hairy tongue syndrome (BHT)

Black hairy tongue syndrome (BHT) [4] is a condition of the tongue in which the small bumps on the tongue elongate with black or brown discoloration, giving a black and hairy appearance. The appearance may be alarming, but it is a harmless condition. Predisposing factors include smoking, xerostomia (dry mouth), soft diet, poor oral hygiene and certain medications. Management is facilitated by improving oral hygiene, especially scraping or brushing the tongue . [5] We think our patient’s hairy tongue was caused by a prolonged period of limited oral intake, xerostomia related to the anticholinergic effects of quetiapine and a change in oral flora from various courses of antimicrobials. Hairy tongue is a harmless but often misunderstood condition . Learn what it is, what causes it, and how to treat and prevent it. Background Hairy tongue , also known as black hairy tongue or lingua villosa, is a benign and usually temporary condition characterized by the elongation and discoloration of the papillae on the surface of the tongue . Despite its name, hairy tongue does not involve actual hair growth on the tongue . Instead, the condition results from an accumulation of dead skin cells, bacteria, and other debris on the tongue ’s papillae, causing them to appear elongated and discolored. Hairy tongue is ...