HAIRY TONGUE

 

(WHITE OR BLACK

 

HAIRY

 

TONGUE)

 

Hairy tongue, hypertrophy of filiform papillae resembling hair-like

projections, is associated with heavy tobacco use, mouth breathing, antibiotic therapy, poor oral hygiene, general debilitation, radiation therapy, use of oxidizing mouthwashes containing hydrogen peroxide, chronic use of bismuthcontaining antacids, and lack of dietary roughage. Overgrowth of Candida albicans may complicate the clinical picture . The white, yellow, green, brown, or black color is due to chromogenic bacteria or staining from exogenous sources. Patients may complain of a gagging sensation, altered taste, or halitosis. Treatment consists of elimination of predisposing factors and initiation of a good oral hygiene regimen with gentle brushing of the tongue. Off-label use of podophyllin or tretinoin gel has been described.