This condition is characterized by hyperplasia and elongation of tongue papillae.

These changes occurring in the papilla favor the development of germs that produce colored pigments creating areas from yellowish white to brown or dark brown.

Among the determining factors we find:

• Smoking;
• Lack of hygiene;
• Local irritants;
• Antibiotics that may lead to microbial flora disorder.

Treatment involves discontinuing the habits producing this condition (smoking, lack of hygiene, etc.) or discontinuing the current antibiotic treatment.

Also, you can curettage the affected surfaces and, because the lesion has a relapsing nature, sometimes several sessions of treatment are required. In same cases, despite all treatment, the black hairy tongue symptoms may persist a number of years or may as well suddenly disappear.