Tags: Disease.
Black hairy tongue (BHT also termed lingua villosa nigra) refers to a condition of the tongue where the filiform papillae elongate with black or brown discoloration giving a black and hairy appearance. The appearance may be alarming but it is a harmless condition. Predisposing factors include smoking xerostomia (dry mouth) soft diet poor oral hygiene and certain medications. Management is by improving oral hygiene especially scraping or brushing the tongue.
