How to treat black hairy tongue?

Ah, black hairy tongue. The bane of our existence. It’s not harmful, but it sure is ugly and can be quite uncomfortable for some people. Fear not though, my friends! I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on how to treat this pesky condition.

What is Black Hairy Tongue?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s first define what black hairy tongue actually is. This funky-looking condition occurs when the papillae (tiny projections) on your tongue don’t shed like they should and instead grow longer, giving off that ‘hairy’ appearance in black or brown coloration (it’s like having mini shag carpets on your taste buds).

Symptoms

  • Furry Appearance
  • Discoloration (Black/Brown/Yellow/Green)
  • Bad Breath
  • Metallic Taste
  • Burning Sensation(not as fun as it sounds)

Causes of Black Hairy Tongue

Now that you know what it looks like, let’s delve into the causes:

Poor Oral Hygiene

The most common cause of black hairy tongue is poor oral hygiene. If you’re not brushing regularly or using a mouthwash after each meal (let’s be honest who has time for that?) , bacterial build-up can occur.

Antibiotic Usage

Taking antibiotics for an extended period can also disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your mouth,(you did good fighting those infections tho!) causing overgrowth and eventually leading to black hairy tongs .

Tobacco Use

Tobacco use such as smoking 🙁
or chewing tobacco 🙁 smoking kills kids

can lead to stains discoloring Papillae in this way too .

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions such as diabetes,pregnancy are linked with developing Black Hairy Tongue, in addition to cancer treatment with chemotherapy medications. (A little heads up: If you have any of these medical conditions, it’s essential to talk to your doctor before trying any home remedies).

How To Treat Black Hairy Tongue

Now that we have a good understanding of what black hairy tongue is and why it occurs, let’s discuss the many ways to treat it.

Improve Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene should be your first course of action – this includes brushing your teeth regularly, flossing daily ,and making use mouthwash every now then (preferably ones containing peroxide). This is usually enough on its own; however, if the problem persists for longer than two weeks even with good dental care,it may require a closer inspection by a dentist or physician.

Get Your diet Right

Another easy remedy is tweaking what you eat/drink.

Acidic Foods

Avoid consuming too much acid-rich food such as citrus fruits because this could exacerbate black hairy tongs and cause further damage down your throat!

Colorful Vegetables

Conversely,munching on raw greens or vegetables stimulates saliva production clearing those taste buds .Additionally,this helps prevent stains from sticking onto Papillae (bonus points for increased health benefits!)

Regularly Brush Your Tongue

Don’t forget : Whenever brushing , brush both sides on tongue too! You can also add some whitening toothpaste for added effect but beware not exceed usage more than one time each week.

Natural Remedies

Here are some fantastic all-natural treatments:

Baking Soda

Some swear by baking soda since It neutralizes acids leaving them unable able cling onto Papillae.Thus rinsing multiple times each day will definitely get desired results.

Salt Water Solution

Basically anyone’s comfort zone involves salted water often used rinse; however, it can work wonders on Papillae.

Probiotics

Probiotic bacteria are supposedly to balance and promote (without) the growth of harmful bacteria in our language.

Over-The-Counter Treatment

If natural remedies do not suffice then perhaps its time for a higher intensity solution.

Salicylic Acid

Tongue gels or mousses containing salicylic acid have shown effective at disintegrating the top layer of Papillaem lining your tongue curing black hairy tongues quickly.

Antifungal Drugs

If overgrowth caused by fungi is culprit antifungal drugs like fluconazole, Itraconazole completely cure infection after couple weeks’ usage though with some adverse effects .’Robitussin DM’, usually used for colds, has also proven effects in treating mild cases.

Prevention

Prevention is better than treatment! Here’re somethings you should refrain from doing; otherwise,it will increase your chances of catching Black Hairy Tongue :

  • Avoid tobacco products – smoking causes more harm than just stained papillae!

  • Limit alcohol consumption (you know what they say: “too much wine turns one’s breath into red finger paint!”)

  • Minimize amount acidic foods & drinks.

Final Words

Black hairy tongue may look scary,but most often,it is never severe(until it becomes so). While self-treatment should be taken cautiously,different home remedies prove helpful in alleviating even moderate cases.
Taking good care of your oral hygiene ,diet and sticking to simple prevention steps above forego catching any ailments .Take care until next time
drop the mic .

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