Hairy tongue, also known as lingua villosa, looks strange but is usually harmless. This condition means the filiform papillae on the tongue grow too much. It can make your tongue look like it has black or white hair.
The primary cause is too much bacteria or yeast in your mouth. It happens with poor oral hygiene, specific medications, smoking, and not drinking enough water.
Sometimes, people might experience bad breath, a different taste in their mouth, or feel like something’s tickling their throat. If you think you have hairy tongue, the doctor will start by looking at your tongue and asking about your health. From there, they can suggest ways to help.
These can include better oral care, using a tongue scraper, and drinking more water. Also, it’s important to avoid the things that can make it worse. Sometimes, a special kind of treatment using stem cells might be an option.
Key Takeaways:
- Hairy tongue is a benign condition characterized by the overgrowth and elongation of the filiform papillae on the tongue.
- Causes of hairy tongue include an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast, poor oral hygiene, certain medications, smoking, and dehydration.
- Symptoms of hairy tongue may include an unusual appearance of the tongue, bad breath, changes in taste, discomfort in the mouth, and a feeling of tightness in the throat.
- Diagnosis is usually done through visual observation and a detailed medical history.
- Treatment options include maintaining good oral hygiene, using tongue scrapers, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding contributing factors. In some cases, stem cell therapy may be considered.
Causes of Hairy Tongue
Hairy tongue is when the little bumps on your tongue grow too much. The most common reason is a lot of bacteria or yeast in your mouth. They form a layer on your tongue. This makes those little bumps get too long, which looks like hair.
Poor oral hygiene is a big cause of hairy tongue. If you don’t brush your teeth or clean your tongue well, bacteria and yeast build up. Doing this regularly is key to avoid hairy tongue.
Some medicines can also change the balance in your mouth. This change might help bad microorganisms to grow on your tongue. Antibiotics, for instance, are known for this.
Using tobacco is yet another known reason why people get hairy tongue. The bad stuff in cigarette smoke can mess up your mouth’s normal environment.
Not drinking enough water can make your mouth dry. This lack of water lowers how much spit you make. A dry mouth is good for bacteria and yeast on the tongue.
Some lesser-known reasons for hairy tongue include not getting enough vitamins and certain medical treatments. Radiation therapy is one example. These also play a part in hairy tongue.
Summary:
Hairy tongue happens with too much bacteria or yeast in your mouth. Key causes are bad oral hygiene, some drugs, smoking, and not drinking enough water. It is important to keep your mouth clean by brushing and tongue scraping. Drop the smoking habit and drink plenty of water to lower your risk.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hairy Tongue
Hairy tongue makes the tongue look odd. You see black, brown, or white hair-like things on its surface. This look often shows someone has hairy tongue. But not all with this issue show other signs. If an excess of yeast is there, it might feel like your tongue is burning or stinging.
People with hairy tongue might have bad breath. This comes from too much bacteria or yeast on their tongue. They might find food or drinks don’t taste right. It can also feel like something is lightly moving in their mouth. Or, they might feel some discomfort. In worse cases, swallowing might feel tight.
Healthcare pros look closely at the tongue and ask about your health. They check for hair-like things and look for other signs of hairy tongue. They also talk about your health history. Things like using certain drugs, smoking, and how you clean your mouth might matter.
Sometimes, they might look at a bit of your tongue under a microscope. This is to be sure about the diagnosis. It helps rule out other possible issues.
Stem Cell Therapy and Other Treatments for Hairy Tongue
Hairy tongue is mainly treated by keeping the mouth clean. This means regularly brushing your teeth. You should also clean your tongue with a gentle brush or a tongue scraper. It is key to keep your mouth clean to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Drinking lots of water is vital too. Water helps stop bacteria and yeast from building up on your tongue. It also flushes out your mouth, which is good for your oral health.
In some cases, simple treatments might not be enough. This is when some new ideas, like stem cell therapy, could help. Stem cell therapy uses special cells to repair and refresh the skin where the problem is. Not everyone can get this treatment, and it might not work for all cases.
Don’t worry if regular steps don’t work for you. Seeing a doctor or a specialist could help find a better treatment. They will look at your situation and advise on what might work best, whether it’s stem cell therapy or something else.