Ah, hair. We spend a lot of time styling it, coloring it and trying to make it look good. We remove it from the parts of our bodies where we don’t want it. There’s one place most of us don’t expect to see hair — on our tongues.
But a condition called hairy tongue can make your tongue look and feel fuzzy or furry. It’s not actually hair growing on your tongue and it’s usually harmless, painless and temporary.
“Hairy tongue comes from the bumps on the tongue called papillae. Usually, dead skin cells slough off this area, but if they don’t, they can get long. When they get longer, they are more likely to take up stains from food, coffee and tobacco,” said Mari Ricker, MD, a family medicine and integrative medicine specialist with Banner University Medicine.
Even though hairy tongue is usually painless, if you have it you’ll probably want to get rid of it. Luckily, you can treat it easily.
What causes hairy tongue?
If you don’t brush and floss your teeth enough, bacteria and food particles can build up on the tongue. Over time, they can make the bumps on your tongue that contain your taste buds (papillae) bigger and discolored, so they look hairy.
You may also develop hairy tongue if you only eat soft foods since a mix of food textures helps rub dead cells off the tongue.
Other factors can make hairy tongue worse:
- Smoking or using tobacco products, since the chemicals in them make it harder for your tongue to shed dead cells. These cells can cause debris to collect on the tongue, making the papillae longer and discolored.
- Medications that upset the balance of organisms in your mouth. For example, if you take antibiotics, bacteria or yeast may grow in your mouth. Medications that contain bismuth (like Pepto Bismol) can make your tongue look black, but they don’t typically make your tongue feel hairy.
- Dehydration, since you don’t make as much saliva when you’re dehydrated and saliva helps keep your mouth clean.
- Mouth breathing, which can dry out your mouth.
Symptoms of hairy tongue
If you have hairy tongue, you may notice:
- Your tongue feels rough or fuzzy and looks discolored. “Hairy tongue can come in any color — brown, white, green or pink,” Dr. Ricker said. Smoking or drinking coffee, tea, cola or red wine can stain hairy tongue and make it look black.
- You have a metallic or unpleasant taste in your mouth.
- You have bad breath (halitosis).
- You gag, especially when you brush or clean your tongue.
- Your tongue feels uncomfortable or irritated, especially when you’re eating or swallowing.
- You’re self-conscious about the way your tongue looks.
Treating hairy tongue
These steps can help clear up hairy tongue:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Use a tongue scraper or brush to gently clean your tongue.
- Floss daily to remove plaque and food from between your teeth and along your gum line.
- Drink plenty of water so you stay hydrated and produce enough saliva. That way, your mouth doesn’t get dry. Good hydration helps your overall health, too.
- Use a mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide to help reduce bacteria.
- Consider over-the-counter (OTC) tongue gels or oral rinses to help remove bacteria.
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
- Limit alcohol (which can dry your mouth) and coffee, tea, cola and red wine (which can stain the tongue).
If you have an infection that’s causing hairy tongue, your provider may prescribe an antifungal or antibiotic medication.
When to get medical care
Hairy tongue usually doesn’t cause health problems but it’s a good idea to see a dentist or primary care provider to rule out any health conditions that could be causing it, especially if it doesn’t clear up when you treat it on your own.
It’s especially important to seek care if you have persistent symptoms such as bad breath, a change in the way things taste, discomfort, altered taste sensation, dark coloring that comes on suddenly, bleeding or sores.
You should also see a provider if you have other health conditions such as diabetes, immune disorders or a history of oral cancer, since you could be at higher risk of complications.
Also, see your dentist regularly. Your dentist can check on the health of your mouth, remove plaque and tartar and explain how to properly care for your teeth, mouth and tongue. With regular checkups, you can spot any signs of hairy tongue or other health issues early and start treatment.
The bottom line
Hairy tongue is a condition where the bumps on your tongue that contain your taste buds get longer and look and feel furry or fuzzy. They may also change color. The condition can cause bad breath and changes in how you perceive taste.
Usually, good oral hygiene and tongue cleaning will get rid of hairy tongue. If that doesn’t work or you have other health conditions, see your health care provider or contact an expert at Banner Health.
