Having painful or painless bumps under tongue may hurt or cause much discomfort in mouth. Bumps or lumps under your tongue may be small or big and they are usually white or red. Whereas they are usually harmless sores or blisters caused by injuries or infections, they might in rare cases be an indication of a serious condition such as cancer. Explore signs, symptoms and pictures of bumps or lumps under tongue. Also, discover their causes and how can you get rid of them with treatments and home remedies.
Signs and Symptoms of White Bump Under Tongue
Do you experience something wrong on your tongue? Bumps under tongue are a common problem that might cause a discomfort in your mouth. It is important to understand the possible signs and symptoms that are related to bumps under tongue. In addition, Being familiar with the signs and symptoms associated with bumps under the tongue can help you to decide whether to go for treatment or not.
The following are signs and symptoms of bumps under the tongue that include:
- Pain or a burning sensation at the base of tongue on lingual frenulum
- Difficulties in chewing and moving the tongue
- Painful blister or lump under the tongue
- White patches, dots or spots under the tongue
- Hard bumps under the tongue
- Red or pink bumps under tongue
- Loss of taste
- Soreness on tongue
- Dry mouth
White Bump Under Tongue Pictures
How do white bumps under the tongue look like? This post comprises of clear pictures that show how white bump under your tongue might appear in the mouth. These pictures also give a visual explanation of various conditions of white bumps under tongue.
In addition, White spot on tongue pictures in this post also shows some of the signs that are associated with white bumps under tongue, on the surface and other mouth parts. Different types of red or white bumps on tongue have been shown in the provided picture.
Furthermore, you can use these pictures to assess the similarities between bumps under your tongue and the one in the images. From the comparison, you can easily determine the possible cause of white bump under the tongue that can help you as a guide for medical treatment.
Causes of Bump Under Tongue
What can be the causal agent of bumps under the tongue? Obviously, bumps under the tongue can develop due to various reasons or factors. Actually, some of this causal agent might results to harmless lumps on the tongue. nevertheless, Â you can develop chronic bumps on your tongue that can persist without healing.
The following includes the cause of bumps under the tongue:
1. Injuries on Lingual Frenulum
According to the structure of the tongue, Â the lingual frenulum is a fold of skin that connects the tongue to the base of the mouth. Probably, Â physical injuries at this point can result in the formation of bumps under tongue. Mouth injuries at the frenulum are a common condition that you might have encountered.
Actually, a physical damage at frenulum can occur during the process of chewing food. Eating very dried foodstuffs can result in the formation of injuries on your tongue including under the surface part. The development of bumps under tongue can be a consequence of eating dried food like pop corns.
In addition to that, placing sharp objects in your oral cavity can result in an injury on the tongue and even part of the frenulum. Using sharp toothpicks and needles to remove food particles between your teeth can accidentally pierce into the lower part of the tongue to result into wounds hence bumps under tongue will appear.
Furthermore, lingual frenulum can also develop injuries from too hot food or drinks. Taking accidentally too hot food can result in the burning of the mucous membrane in the mouth part that causes trauma on the tongue which might initiate the formation of bumps under tongue. Also, acidic foods and intoxication of harmful chemical substance in the mouth can also result in the development of red bumps under tongue.
Surprisingly, the process of practicing cunnilingus can also result to injuries at the frenulum that can develop into inflammations and bumps under tongue. Cunnilingus is a type of oral sex done on female genital part by use of the tongue. According to Wikipedia, the lingual frenulum can develop a friction between the middle incisors teeth and tongue that leads to a traumatic lesion on the lower surface of the tongue.
2. Oral Mucocele
An oral mucocele is also called mucous cyst that develops after the damage of salivary gland in the oral cavity. Usually, a large blister that is filled by mucous appears on lingual frenulum under the tongue surface.
Obviously, mucocele is a common condition in infants and toddlers that result to formation of bumps under tongue. However, anybody can develop a mucous cyst under the tongue when salivary glands are a ruptured.
3. Canker Sores or Aphthous Ulcer
Bumps under tongue can develop as a consequence of having canker sore infection in your body. A canker sore is a type of mouth ulcer that is characterized by painful small red sores on tongue, gums, lips and inside cheeks. A canker sore is common mouth infection in young individuals and women. However, individual with weakened immune system are more susceptible to canker sores although any one can be affected.
The main cause of the outbreak of canker sores on the mouth is unknown but according to medical experts, canker sores can be triggered by some predisposing factors.
The predisposing factors that cause canker sores include:
- Body stress
- Mouth injuries
- Compromising immune system
- Nutrients deficiency
- Hormone fluctuation in the body
- Allergic reaction from some type of foods
Bumps under tongue as a result of canker sore are a mild condition that heals even without medical treatment. Occasionally, individual with the weakened body immune system can experience serious mouth damage by canker sores that require a health check up.
4. Cold Sore or Fever Blister
Cold sore is known to cause fluid filled blisters on the lips, inside the nose, on the cheek, and inside the mouth. They can as well cause bumps under tongue surface near lingual frenulum. Cold sore outbreaks usually result in small fluid filled blisters that can take two weeks to go away.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the main causal agent of cold sore infection. Herpes virus can stay in your body for long period of time in a dormant state which might be activated at some point by predisposing factors to cause another outbreak of cold sore that might result to bumps under tongue.
The common risk factors that might cause an outbreak of cold sore in the mouth include:
- Cold environment
- Weaken immune system
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Hormone fluctuation due to the menstrual
In addition, the herpes virus in the body not only result to sores in the oral cavity but also can be manifested through other signs and symptoms.
Signs accompanied cold sore includes:
- Headache
- Fever
- sore throat
- nausea
- burning sensation on the tongue
- ulcer on tongue
5. Transient Lingual Papillitis or Lie Bumps
Transient lingual papillitis is also called Lie bumps. Traditionally, this name was derived from the myth that after telling a lie, you can easily develop lie bumps. Transient lingual papillitis is painful swelling that can suddenly appear and spread on your tongue surface. Lie bumps are a harmless condition that cannot advance to health complication hence they can resolve within few days, therefore, no need to go for treatment.
Naturally, the tongue has tiny bumps on the surface of the tongue called papillae. The upper part has more papillae than the lower surface of the tongue that comprises lingual frenulum. Taking acidic or too hot food that can irritate your tongue hence the development of white or red bumps under tongue surface.
6. Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a chronic condition that can attack your mouth to cause bumps under tongue. Oral cancer develops when there is an overgrowth of cells in mouth tissue that result in various types of bumps and sores in the oral cavity. Also, oral cancer can affect lips, tongue, gums, throat, and cheeks.
Oral cancer is associated with smoking and chewing tobacco products. The condition is common to individuals who use tobacco products. However, it can develop from other carcinogenic substance like exposure to harmful short length waves such as UV rays from the sun.
In addition, human papilloma virus (HPV) can also result in the development of the cancerous condition in the oral cavity. This virus can spread through oral sex hence regarded as an STD
It is difficult to notice if your mouth is having the cancerous condition at an early stage because the condition is characterized by painless hard bumps in the mouth. Finally, it develops into red or white ulcers that do not heal. Unfortunately, oral cancer can start showing signs and symptoms during late stages of infection thus difficult to manage the infection.
The following are examples of signs and symptoms or oral cancer that includes:
- hard lumps or bumps under tongue and entire mouth cavity
- formation of white, red patches that persist on the tongue
- difficulties in chewing, swallowing and even speaking
- bleeding in the mouth
- numbness and loss of nerve sensitivity in the affected area
- a sore throat
- change of voice
- pain in the ears
It is advisable to consult your dentist in case you experience any strange signs and symptoms that are suspected to develop into a cancerous condition in your mouth. Â Oral cancer is treatable at earlier stages.
7. Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is known to cause red bumpy strawberry tongue but it can also encourage the formation of bumps under tongue. Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that usually affects skin by causing rashes that are accompanied by fever and soreness of throat.
Scarlet fever is a contagious disease that is common in toddlers and young children of an age that range between 4 and 16 years. This infection is a mild condition that can be cured by the use of antibodies. However, it can develop into health complication if no treatment is given to you.
The health complications that can develop from scarlet fever include:
- kidney diseases
- rheumatic fever infection
- tongue and throat damage
- pneumonia infection
8. Salivary Duct Stones
Bumps under tongue can be the consequence of having salivary duct stones. This condition is also called sialolithiasis. Salivary stones are bumps that develop from calcification of minerals in the salivary ducts that are located under your tongue.
Salivary stones can result in blockage of salivary ducts hence no saliva will flow into mouth cavity. Consequently, the blockage of salivary ducts might develop some pain on the lower part of the tongue that is associated with hard lumps or bumps under tongue.
9. Allergic Reaction
The mucous membrane of the tongue is more sensitive to strange substances that can cause an allergic reaction on the tongue surface. The lower part of the tongue has a thinner mucous membrane that can be irritated easily by allergens to develop bumps under tongue.
In addition, taking spicy food, raw or acidic foods can cause some irritation on your tongue to develop white or red lumps. Allergic reaction on your tongue is a mild condition that can go away within a few days. In case your tongue has once shown allergic reaction, it is important to avoid food substance that can encourage allergic reaction in your mouth in order to escape bumps under tongue.
10. Syphilis Infection, STD
Syphilis infection is one of the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) that can result in bumps under tongue. The primary stage of this infection is characterized by painful sores on genital parts and oral cavity.
Syphilis infection cannot resolve without treatment and it can advance into health complication problems that can even result in death. It is quite important to go for medical treatment during the early stage of this infection before it becomes difficult to manage.
11. Exostosis
The development of red bumps under tongue might be exostosis. This condition develops when an extra bone in the lower jaw protrudes on the floor of the mouth under the tongue. The bump under your tongue as an effect of exostosis can easily get irritation during the process of chewing food that might accidentally poke this lump to cause more injuries.
White Bump Under Tongue
Generally, white bump under the tongue can be bothersome to you especially when it persists for long period of time. You might even develop some worries about your tongue when the white bumps under your tongue are painful and they make you feel a discomfort.
In addition to that, having a single white bump under tongue is quite a common problem that can affect anybody. White bumps under tongue can be either benign or sometimes hurting. It is possible to develop a harmless bump under your tongue. For instance, mild injuries on the tongue, transient lingual papillitis, and an allergic reaction cannot develop into a serious health condition.
In the other hand, an outbreak of white bumps under tongue can develop into a health problem that needs treatment from your dentist. Take the case of oral cancer, scarlet fever and syphilis infection which can advance into a chronic condition that is life threatening.
Red Bump Under Tongue
Red spot or bump under the tongue can appear as a result of painful blood filled blisters or red sores. There are various reasons that might result in red bump under your tongue. These factors include the following:
- Scarlet fever that causes red strawberry tongue infection. Also, it can result in red bumps under tongue
- Canker sores that are associated with red sores on the surface of the tongue, this infection can also affect lingual frenulum under the tongue to develop red bump
- exostosis is another factor that might cause single red lumps under tongue on the floor of the mouth
- syphilis infection can also lead to red bumps under the surface of the tongue that a very painful and they can develop into ulcers on mouth cavity
- Oral cancer may result to chronic red ulcers on the surface of the tongue.
Bump under Tongue No Pain
In most cases, lump on your tongue might be a harmless condition that has no pain. Occasionally, small bump might appear under your tongue that has no pain and can resolve on its own without medical treatment.
However, having a hard bump under tongue that has no pain, does not mean you are safe. Some chronic tongue infection like oral cancer is characterized by bumps hard that has no pain. It is advisable to go for health checkup in cases there are painless hard bumps under your tongue.
Hard Bump Under tongue
There are two main conditions that are associated with hard bumps under the tongue:
- Exostosis is the formation of extra born on the lower jaw that protrudes to the floor of the mouth. The bump that appears as a result of exostosis is usually hard and painless but it can develop pain when it is injured by chewing process in the mouth
- Cancerous tumors in the mouth are usually hard bumps at the initial The pre-cancerous condition under the surface of the tongue can appear as hard bumps under tongue.
Small or Tiny Bump Under Tongue
Bumps under the tongue can range in various sizes and shape. They can be small or tiny in size, for example, lie bumps that develop from inflamed papillae are usually small in size but they can appear big in size if they are swollen.
Tiny bumps can also appear under your tongue surface. These bumps can resemble pinpoint size hence they are not easily observed by eye. Despite having tiny bumps, you can still feel some discomfort on your tongue.
How to Get Rid of Bumps Under Tongue
Bumps under your tongue can be removed using different method basing on the type of infection or condition. For the case of having mild red or white bumps under tongue, you can use home remedies to get rid of such bumps.
Unlike mild conditions on your tongue, some bumps on your tongue can advance it to serious health conditions. For instance, oral cancer, scarlet fever, and syphilis cannot be treated by home remedies and they require health provider to help in the treatments.
Treatment for Bumps Under Tongue
When bumps under your tongue are becoming bothersome to you, it is advisable to visit a dentist to examine your mouth. After visiting your doctor, he/she might examine your mouth to determine the exact cause of the bumps. Your doctor can also take your oral sample to be tested in the laboratory.
From the result of the sample test, he/she will decide the method of treatment to apply on your tongue. Common methods that your doctor might use to help you to get rid of bumps under tongue include:
- Surgical methods to remove tumors of oral cancer and salivary stones. You doctor can use sterilized needles and scalpel to remove harmful bumps under tongue
- Medical prescriptions that include a dosage of drugs that comprises of antibiotics and antivirus to help in the treatment of bacterial and viral infection respectively. Over the counter pain, killers may also be prescribed to you by your doctor to help in relieving pain on the tongue
- Laser treatment that use a beam of electrons to kill cancerous cells. Laser treatment is the best cancer therapy method of treatment although expensive but affordable
Home Remedies for Bumps Under Tongue
Looking for home remedies? Try the following to get rid of bumps under your tongue:
1. Salt rinse
You can use the salt solution as home remedies to get rid of bumps under tongue. Usually, salt has antiseptic properties that can help to treat bumps on the tongue. Â Moreover, it can also help to ease pain and inflammation.
How to use:
- Get one glass of warm water
- Add one teaspoon of the salt and mix
- Swish the solution in your mouth for about 1minutes and spit it out
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Alternatively, apply the salt crystals directly on the affected part of your tongue although it can cause a lot of irritation that will last few minutes
- Repeat the same treatment three times per day until bumps under tongue disappear
2. Baking soda
Baking soda is a good reagent that can be used as a home remedy to remove bumps under the tongue. Naturally, baking soda has anti-inflammatory abilities that can help to relieve pain and inflammation on the tongue. In addition, it also helps to restore mouth pH hence limit the growth of harmful microorganisms that can result to mouth infections.
How to use:
- Get one teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with one glass of warm water to make
- Use the solution to swish around your mouth for about 1 minutes and spit it out
- Rinse your mouth with clean water
- Repeat the procedure several times as you can per day until bumps under tongue go away
3. Aloe Vera
Naturally, Aloe Vera has medicinal value that can help to heal small pimples on tongue. Furthermore, the herb has antibacterial properties that can reduce harmful bacteria in your oral cavity thus encourage faster healing of bumps under tongue
How to use:
- Extract the Aloe Vera gel from fresh leaves of the herb by spitting its leaves by sharp knife
- Use your clean finger to apply the gel on the affected area of your tongue
- Allow the gel to stay on your tongue for 10 minutes before rinsing your mouth with warm water
- Constantly repeat the same procedure three times per day until your tongue get some improvement
4. Honey treatment
Natural honey has a medicinal value that can ease inflammation under your tongue. Chemically, the ingredient of natural honey has the antimicrobial property that can eliminate harmful microorganism in the oral cavity that can cause tongue inflammation.
In addition, natural honey has a sweet taste on your tongue and has no side effect on your body. In fact, it is an energy food that you can include in your diet.
How to use:
- Get one teaspoon of natural honey
- Apply it directly to the affected area of your tongue
- Allow the honey to stay in your mouth for about 5 minutes before you swallow it
- Repeat this procedure three times per day for few weeks until you get a relief
5. Turmeric
You can use turmeric to remove bumps under tongue. Turmeric has strong antimicrobial properties that can help to reduce harmful microorganism in the mouth cavity. Furthermore, it has the ability to relieve inflammation on tongue hence can ease the pain on your tongue.
How to use:
- Get one teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix with equal amount of warm milk
- Apply the mixture on affected area of your tongue
- Allow it to stay in your mouth for 5 minutes and finally rinse your mouth with warm water
- Repeat the same treatment three times per day until bumps under your tongue heals
When to See a Doctor Over White Bumps Under Tongue
Occasionally, bumps under your tongue may persist or advance into a serious health problem that needs to be treated by your doctor. It is important to see a doctor over white bumps under tongue when you notice the following conditions:
- When bumps under your tongue are too painful and they make you feel a discomfort
- If bumps under tongue prevent you from speaking, chewing and swallowing
- When your baby has strange bumps under her tongue
- When white bumps under your tongue persist for more than three weeks
- If white lumps under your tongue are hard and they can easily bleed
- If white bumps on your tongue are accompanied by other strange signs and symptoms that affect the entire body system
Sources and References
- Bumps under the tongue: http://www.livestrong.com/article/311698-red-bumps-underneath-the-tongue/
- Signs and symptoms of white bumps under tongue: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/swelling-lump-beneath-tongue-sublingual-gland–476818
- White bumps under the tongue picture: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-mouth-problems
- Red bumps under tongue: http://www.livestrong.com/article/308031-red-bumps-on-the-upper-legs/
- Bump under tongue no pain: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dental-Health/small-painless-bump-under-my-tonguewhat-is-it/show/487300
- Hard bump under tongue: http://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/pimple-on-area-under-tongue-near-salivary-gland
- Small, tiny, little bump under tongue: http://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/tongue-bumps#overview1
- How to get rid of bumps under tongue: http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Bumps-on-Your-Tongue
- Treatment for bumps under the tongue: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/mucocele-causes-symptoms-and-treatment
- Home remedies for bumps under the tongue: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-sore-tongue.html
