Black hairy tongue refers to a number of conditions of humans and animals that cause the tongue to become unusually dark and/or hairy in appearance.

Black hairy tongue in humans is a harmless condition caused by a fungus which grows on the top surface of the tongue.[1] It is associated with the elderly, as well as with antibiotic use. It is more commonly seen in tobacco smokers. While black is the most common color associated with the condition other colors are also possible.

And for more information visit the source site:
http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Black_hairy_tongue

Answered by Dinesh , an ibibo Master, at 8:04 AM on September 14, 2008

well negi!
The surface of your tongue has hundreds of tiny fingerlike projections called papillae. Your taste buds are scattered among these projections. The papillae grow constantly, and the top layer of cells normally wears away. In some people, these cells do not wear away and the papillae grow unusually long.
When this occurs, the papillae easily trap debris and bacteria that are normally in the mouth. The bacteria multiply, producing a dark area on the tongue.

Black hairy tongue refers to the color of the bacteria (which can appear dark or black) and the overgrown papillae, which give the tongue a hairy or furry appearance. The condition is noncancerous (benign) and is not an infection; it's something like moss growing on a rock.

The cause of black hairy tongue is not known. The condition is not common in healthy people and is very mild when it does occur in healthy people.

However, some people are at higher risk of developing the condition. Poor oral hygiene is by far the most common factor associated with black hairy tongue. You also are at higher risk of developing black hairy tongue if you:

Smoke
Are taking certain types of antibiotics (which can upset the balance of oral bacteria)
Are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
Have uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic conditions (those that affect the entire body)

for more inf check http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS /ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.31456/ pr.3.html

Answered by sanjay , an ibibo Guru, at 12:11 PM on September 13, 2008

The surface of your tongue has hundreds of tiny fingerlike projections called papillae. Your taste buds are scattered among these projections. The papillae grow constantly, and the top layer of cells normally wears away. In some people, these cells do not wear away and the papillae grow unusually long.
When this occurs, the papillae easily trap debris and bacteria that are normally in the mouth. The bacteria multiply, producing a dark area on the tongue.

Black hairy tongue refers to the color of the bacteria (which can appear dark or black) and the overgrown papillae, which give the tongue a hairy or furry appearance. The condition is noncancerous (benign) and is not an infection; it's something like moss growing on a rock.

The cause of black hairy tongue is not known. The condition is not common in healthy people and is very mild when it does occur in healthy people.

However, some people are at higher risk of developing the condition. Poor oral hygiene is by far the most common factor associated with black hairy tongue. You also are at higher risk of developing black hairy tongue if you:

• Smoke
• Are taking certain types of antibiotics (which can upset the balance of oral bacteria)
• Are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
• Have uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic conditions (those that affect the entire body)

Answered by YourS , an ibibo Specialist, at 3:15 PM on September 12, 2008

Well Kailash

The surface of your tongue has hundreds of tiny fingerlike projections called papillae. Your taste buds are scattered among these projections. The papillae grow constantly, and the top layer of cells normally wears away. In some people, these cells do not wear away and the papillae grow unusually long.

When this occurs, the papillae easily trap debris and bacteria that are normally in the mouth. The bacteria multiply, producing a dark area on the tongue.

Black hairy tongue refers to the color of the bacteria (which can appear dark or black) and the overgrown papillae, which give the tongue a hairy or furry appearance. The condition is noncancerous (benign) and is not an infection; it's something like moss growing on a rock.

The cause of black hairy tongue is not known. The condition is not common in healthy people and is very mild when it does occur in healthy people.

However, some people are at higher risk of developing the condition. Poor oral hygiene is by far the most common factor associated with black hairy tongue. You also are at higher risk of developing black hairy tongue if you:

* Smoke
* Are taking certain types of antibiotics (which can upset the balance of oral bacteria)
* Are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
* Have uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic conditions (those that affect the entire body)

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source site:- http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS /ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32219/t.31456/ pr.3.html

Answered by Priyanka C , an ibibo Master, at 8:20 PM on September 11, 2008

Hello Kailash..

Black hairy tongue refers to a number of conditions of humans and animals that cause the tongue to become unusually dark and/or hairy in appearance.

Black hairy tongue in humans is a harmless condition caused by a fungus which grows on the top surface of the tongue.[1] It is associated with the elderly, as well as with antibiotic use. It is more commonly seen in tobacco smokers. While black is the most common color associated with the condition other colors are also possible.

Treatment

Treatment consists of good oral hygiene and use of a toothbrush or tongue scraper to aid with the desquamation of the tongue. Use of antifungal drugs may be warranted if there is a suspicion of candidal infection.

If antibiotic use lead to the condition then the condition may resolve naturally after the antibiotic course is completed.

For more detail refer..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi ki/Black_hairy_tongue

Answered by Saq , an ibibo Master, at 7:58 PM on September 11, 2008

The surface of your tongue has hundreds of tiny fingerlike projections called papillae. Your taste buds are scattered among these projections. The papillae grow constantly, and the top layer of cells normally wears away. In some people, these cells do not wear away and the papillae grow unusually long.
When this occurs, the papillae easily trap debris and bacteria that are normally in the mouth. The bacteria multiply, producing a dark area on the tongue.

Black hairy tongue refers to the color of the bacteria (which can appear dark or black) and the overgrown papillae, which give the tongue a hairy or furry appearance. The condition is noncancerous (benign) and is not an infection; it's something like moss growing on a rock.

The cause of black hairy tongue is not known. The condition is not common in healthy people and is very mild when it does occur in healthy people.

However, some people are at higher risk of developing the condition. Poor oral hygiene is by far the most common factor associated with black hairy tongue. You also are at higher risk of developing black hairy tongue if you:

Smoke
Are taking certain types of antibiotics (which can upset the balance of oral bacteria)
Are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
Have uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic conditions (those that affect the entire body)


visit www.simplestepsdental.com

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 6:56 PM on September 11, 2008

well, Black hairy tongue refers to a number of conditions of humans and animals that cause the tongue to become unusually dark and/or hairy in appearance.

Black hairy tongue in humans is a harmless condition caused by a fungus which grows on the top surface of the tongue. It is associated with the elderly, as well as with antibiotic use. It is more commonly seen in tobacco smokers. While black is the most common color associated with the condition other colors are also possible.

For more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B lack_hairy_tongue

Answered by Satya ~ , an ibibo Master, at 5:22 PM on September 11, 2008

Though incredibly disconcerting in appearance, a black, hairy tongue is typically nothing serious. The small bumps on the surface of your tongue, called papillae, grow throughout your lifetime. In some people, the papillae become excessively long, rather than being worn down by daily activities. That makes them more likely to harbor bacteria. When these bacteria grow, they may look dark or black and the overgrown papillae appear hair-like.

This condition is not particularly common and is most likely to occur in people who do not practice good dental hygiene. People who are on antibiotics or receiving chemotherapy and people with diabetes may be more likely to have a black hairy tongue

Answered by SESHAN , an ibibo Master, at 4:54 PM on September 11, 2008

well,The surface of your tongue has hundreds of tiny fingerlike projections called papillae. Your taste buds are scattered among these projections. The papillae grow constantly, and the top layer of cells normally wears away. In some people, these cells do not wear away and the papillae grow unusually long.

When this occurs, the papillae easily trap debris and bacteria that are normally in the mouth. The bacteria multiply, producing a dark area on the tongue.

Black hairy tongue refers to the color of the bacteria (which can appear dark or black) and the overgrown papillae, which give the tongue a hairy or furry appearance. The condition is noncancerous (benign) and is not an infection; it's something like moss growing on a rock.

The cause of black hairy tongue is not known. The condition is not common in healthy people and is very mild when it does occur in healthy people.

However, some people are at higher risk of developing the condition. Poor oral hygiene is by far the most common factor associated with black hairy tongue. You also are at higher risk of developing black hairy tongue if you:

* Smoke
* Are taking certain types of antibiotics (which can upset the balance of oral bacteria)
* Are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
* Have uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic conditions (those that affect the entire body)

source:www.simplestep sdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW00 0/st.32219/t.31456/pr.3.html

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 4:14 PM on September 11, 2008

Black hairy tongue refers to a number of conditions of humans and animals that cause the tongue to become unusually dark and/or hairy in appearance.
Black hairy tongue in humans is a harmless condition caused by a fungus which grows on the top surface of the tongue. It is associated with the elderly, as well as with antibiotic use. It is more commonly seen in tobacco smokers. While black is the most common color associated with the condition other colors are also possible.

Answered by alok , an ibibo Master, at 3:56 PM on September 11, 2008