Hairy Tongue Syndrome And How It Relates To Halitosis

Hairy Tongue Syndrome and How it Relates to Halitosis

Sometimes people are affected by an unusual condition called hairy tongue syndrome, or black hairy tongue syndrome. This condition is known to cause halitosis. There is a reason for that.

The hairy tongue syndrome is characterized by soreness, enlargement, and irregularities of the tongue. Characteristics of this disorder include pain of the tongue, the appearance of hair on the tongue, unusual color or smoothness, swelling and mouth ulcers, and/or white lining on the tongue. Furthermore, some people affected by hairy tongue or black hairy tongue syndrome will notice a split or groove in the tongue as well as a cobblestone appearance, or the tongue being pushed off to one side.

In order to understand how hairy tongue syndrome develops, you should think about the makeup of the top of the tongue. The top of the tongue consists of taste buds between papilla, which are tiny bumps on the tongue. The tongue is also covered with a mucous membrane. The tongue is usually a light pink in color, and the taste buds a slightly different color. Any discoloring, such as darkened colored tongue, and any of the described symptoms indicate the possibility of hairy tongue syndrome.

This sometimes is brought upon by certain candies, mouthwashes and mints, or sometimes can be caused by certain antibiotics. Also, the discoloring is a result of bacteria forming in between the papillas, or bumps in the tongue. The hairy tongue syndrome can lead to the plight of halitosis. This is an unpleasant condition and needs treatment soon. The condition of hairy tongue syndrome or black tongue syndrome can usually be cleared with antibiotics.

The root cause of hairy tongue or black tongue syndromes, include changes in the amount of yeast intake after an antibiotic (other than the one used to cure the hairy or black tongue syndrome), and/or poor oral hygiene. To combat the hairy tongue syndrome you should brush your tongue with a toothbrush gently twice a day, and rinse your mouth with a part hydrogen peroxide to five parts water mixture and then rinse with water afterwards.

If the problem still persists along with the onslaught of halitosis you should consult a dentist as soon as possible. Usually, a doctor will prescribe antibiotic medication to alleviate the problem.

Additional causes of the black or hairy tongue syndrome include the intake of medications containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol), every day use of mouthwash containing oxidizing agents such as peroxide as well as the use of witch hazel and menthol. Tobacco use and the excess of drinking beverages such as coffee or tea also cause this condition.

There are several useful sites where you can find information about the black tongue/hairy tongue syndromes such as MayoClinic.com, www.nlm.nih.gov, About.com and others. Each site offers its own illustrations and unique angle on tongue disorders such as these.

Although hairy tongue syndrome or black tongue syndrome is not serious, people who have this condition may feel self-conscious because it does not look very attractive. Furthermore, this disorder can cause one to worry. However, it is a very harmless condition that can be easily treated and is only temporary.

If the hairy tongue syndromes described above are treated properly, then the symptom of halitosis will also disappear. If you have any symptoms of the hairy tongue/black hairy tongue syndrome listed above you should consider getting treated as soon as possible for your own piece of mind and personal comfort. A doctor or dentist can help you with the treatment of this syndrome.

In order to prevent hairy tongue syndrome from returning you should quit smoking and limit the use of certain antibiotics. Furthermore, you should stay away from oxidizing mouthwashes such as hydrogen peroxide, unless directed that using it will make the condition better. The point regarding hydrogen peroxide is that using it every single day is too much for the tongue.