Black tongue is a temporary and harmless condition in which the tongue appears to be covered in hair. In this article, learn about the causes of black tongue, as well as how to treat and prevent it.

Despite the name, black hairy tongue isn’t hair at all. It refers to tiny nubbins on the tongue, called papillae, that have grown longer and turned black.

Despite the name, black hairy tongue isn’t hair at all. It refers to tiny nubbins on the tongue, called papillae, that have grown longer and turned black.