Black Spots on Tongue: Causes, Symptoms, and What to Do

Black spots on the tongue can have several causes:

• Tongue fissures: Deep grooves from dehydration, aging, or medical conditions. Usually harmless but can trap debris and become discolored or infected.
• Hairy tongue: Elongated papillae appear black/brown. Caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking, or conditions like diabetes/HIV.
• Tongue trauma: Blood blisters from injury appear as black/purple spots; usually heal in days.
• Melanoma: Rare but serious; appears as a changing black/brown spot. Requires immediate medical evaluation.

Important: Self-diagnosis is unreliable. Consult a dentist or doctor for any concerning oral changes.