White bumps on tongue may appear on the tip, back, side or under the tongue. They may be large, small or tiny, and may occur as a single lesion or in a cluster. Whether they are painful of painless, they often indicate various health issues. Explore facts, pictures, causes, signs and symptoms of white bumps on tongue. Also, learn how to get rid of them with medical treatments and home remedies.
Signs and Symptoms of White Bumps on Tongue
Your tongue has small painless normal bumps that form its structure. These types of bumps are called papillae. Usually, they are located on the top surface and side of the tongue hence gives the tongue a rough texture that helps you in eating.
The color of papillae is usually pink like the rest of your tongue and they are unnoticeable. However, they can become enlarged when they are irritated by too salty or spicy foods. Fortunately, this is not a serious oral problem.
The development of white bumps on your tongue is not normal. This could be an indication of a health problem. A white bump on your tongue might be a symptom of either benign or a more serious oral problem.
In most occasions, white bumps on your tongue might appear on top surface, side, back, under and on the very tip end of the tongue. They can vary in size depending on their causes. Also, these bumps can be either few or numerous.
There are various signs and symptoms that are associated with white bumps on tongue. They include the following:
- White spots, dots or patches on the tongue that are either painless or painful
- Single or numerous white raised spots on the tongue that could be itchy or not itchy
- Small or large lump on the surface of the tongue
- Too rough texture or hair surface of the tongue
- Fluid-filled blisters, sores or ulcers on your tongue
- Redness, tenderness, inflamed or swollen tongue
- Bad taste, change of taste or loss of taste completely on your tongue
- Painful, itchy or burning sensation that causes difficulties in moving the tongue
- Swollen tonsils and sore throat
- Sores, blisters or bumps or other parts of your mouth cavity
White bumps on your tongue may also accompany other strange symptoms such as fever, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and other. It is advisable to seek the help of your doctor in case you experience abnormal symptoms that are associated with white bumps on your tongue.
White Bumps on Tongue Pictures
How does a tongue with white bumps look like? To see how it might appear, we have inserted descriptive pictures of white bumps on the tongue in relevant parts of this post for your visual understanding.
These pictures or photos might have a slight difference from your actual tongue condition. However, you can use it to assess your oral condition to get a clue about your health problem. It is advisable not to use the picture for self-diagnosis and treatment without the help of your doctor.
Causes of White Spots on Tongue
Your tongue can develop white spots or bumps due to various causes. These causes can lead to either harmless or more serious oral problem that needs medical treatment. The common possible causes that can lead to white bumps on your tongue include:
1. Canker sores
Canker sores are painful oral lesions that might appear on your tongue as white bumps with red borders. These bumps typically appear on surface, sides, under and back of the tongue. They can also occur in other parts of your oral cavity such as on gums, the roof of the mouth and inside the lips.
The specific cause of canker sore is not clearly known. However, the outbreak of canker sore can occur in your oral cavity when it is triggered by some predisposing factors such as stress, change of hormones, oral trauma, allergic reaction and weakened immunity.
2. Cold sore
You develop white bumps on tongue as a consequence of cold sore infection. Cold sore or fever blisters are painful fluid-filled blisters. The cold sores may appear red in color during the initial stage and it may appear as white sore after the bump burst to form an ulcer.
The outbreak of cold sore typically occurs outside the oral cavity on lips, inside the nose, and on cheeks. They can as well develop inside your mouth cavity to form white sores on tongue, the roof of the mouth, and on gums.
The infection of a cold sore in the oral cavity is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is highly contagious. This simply means that you can contact the cold sore infection easily. in addition, this virus can stay in your body for the long duration of time and it can lead to a recurrent outbreak of cold sore.
3. Allergic reaction
Your tongue can develop white spots and bumps as a result of an allergic reaction. The common substances that can induce an allergic reaction on your tongue include too spicy food, raw food, poison ivy and other harsh chemicals.
4. Injuries and trauma to the tongue
White bumps on tongue can develop as an effect of physical damage on your tongue. The tongue injuries can develop from dental work, burns, rough brushing, and bite of yourself. Placing sharp object into your oral cavity can also lead to cuts on your tongue.
5. Oral thrush
Oral thrush is a fungal or yeast infection that can lead to white patches, spots, and bumps on your tongue. This infection is caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the mouth cavity that can result in a white coating on your tongue.
Oral thrush is one of the common oral conditions that often affect babies, infants or toddlers. However, as an adult, you can also develop white bumps, patches or spots on your tongue as a consequence of oral thrush infection.
You can easily develop oral thrush infection when you are exposed to risk factors that encourage the overgrowth of oral yeast. The risk factors include Poor oral hygiene, Weakened immune system, and after the use of antibiotics.
6. Lie bumps or transient lingual papillitis
White bumps on tongue can develop from lie bumps. The natural papillae on your tongue can become enlarged due to irritation from too salty or spicy food. These bumps can appear as white spots on the tongue when they are coated with food debris and bacteria in your mouth.
7. Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is an oral condition that can lead to the overgrowth of cells in the mouth cavity that tend to appear as painless white bumps or spots. This condition can be totally harmless to you but it could be a precursor to cancer if not treated.
Your tongue can develop this condition when you are smoking or chewing tobacco products. You can escape the problem of Leukoplakia by avoiding the habit of smoking and abusing illicit drugs.
8. Oral lichen planus
This condition is usually characterized by painless white bumps on tongue that are associated with white patches like a lace. According to Mayo Clinic, oral lichen planus is linked to the use of tobacco and poor oral hygiene.
9. Geographic tongue
The condition of having geographic tongue can also show up together with white bumps on tongue. This condition can make your tongue to develop red patterns that are separated by white likes like geographical maps.
10. Cancer of the tongue
Cancer of the tongue is a rare condition that can lead to painful or painless white bumps, spots, and patches on your tongue. It can also lead to chronic oral sores or ulcers that can bleed easily when something touches on them.
Tongue cancer may show up other strange symptoms such as weight loss, difficulties to speak and swallow something, sore throat, and hoarse voice. It is advisable to seek the help of your doctor for diagnosis and treatment in case you notice that your oral cavity has strange symptoms that look worrisome.
11. Nutrients deficiency
The deficiency of nutrient in the body can result in oral sores including white bumps on tongue. Deficiency of vitamin B complex, folic acid, zinc, and calcium can lead to the development of white spots and patches on your tongue.
12. STD infections
Your tongue can develop white spots and bumps when you are infected by certain sexually transmitted infection. Syphilis, HIV, and herpes are an example of STD that can lead to painful oral bumps on your tongue surface.
Single White Spot on Tongue
The development of a single white spot or bump on your tongue could be a symptom of either harmless or more serious oral problem. In case a single white spot on your tongue is small and does not cause any pain, this could be a harmless oral condition that might go away without medical treatment.
For the case of having painful single large bumps, spot or patch on your tongue that makes you feel a discomfort, this could be an indication of more serious health problem. You should seek the help of your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
White Bumps on Back of Tongue
What are these white bumps on the back of my tongue? If these are your question, then this is the appropriate section of the post that will answer your question. Keep reading to know the possible causes of white bumps on the back of your tongue.
The common causes of white bumps on the back of the tongue include; Lie bumps, oral thrush, allergic reaction, canker sores, leukoplakia, lichen planus, cancer and STD infection.
White Bumps on Side of Tongue
Mostly, white bumps on side of your tongue can appear on one side. Occasionally, they can occur on both sides of your tongue. Injuries from biting yourself are common causes that can lead to white sores on side of your tongue.
However, the side of your tongue can develop a white bump due to any of the causes that lead to white bumps on tongue that is already been discussed in the relevant section of this post. These causes include canker sore, cold sore, allergic reaction, oral thrush, STD infection, leukoplakia and oral lichen planus.
White Bumps under Tongue
In most occasions, white bumps may develop on the top surface, back, and sides of your tongue. Under the surface of your tongue can also develop white bump. These bumps can be in form of blisters, sores or an ulcer.
Lie bump is a common cause of white bumps under the tongue. The enraged papillae under the tongue can be irritated to develop a white sore. Also, other factors that cause white spots on tongue such as canker sore, cold sore, oral thrust, STD infection, and leukoplakia might lead to the development white bumps under your tongue.
White Bumps on Tip of Tongue
The very tip end of your tongue can develop white bump due to injuries that are caused by biting your tongue during the process of chewing food. This is because the tip end of your tongue is located near the moving teeth in front of the mouth that can lead to injuries on the tongue.
However, other causes such as canker sore, cold sore and oral thrush can also lead to a painful white bump on tip of your tongue.
How to Get Rid of White Bumps on Tongue
You can get rid of white bumps on your tongue using various methods depending on your oral condition. You can use home remedies or medical treatment method. Home remedies might work effectively to remove for tiny, few and mild white spots on your tongue that is not serious health problem
For the case of serious large white bumps on your tongue, you can alternatively use medical treatment method by visiting your doctor.
Home Remedies
Some of the home remedies that can help to remove mild white spots on your tongue include:
1. Baking soda
You can use baking as a home remedy for white bumps on tongue. Baking soda has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help in the healing of swollen bumps in the oral cavity.
How to use:
- Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with few drops to create a smooth paste
- Apply this paste directly to the affected part of the tongue
- Allow it to stay on your tongue for about 10 minutes before you rinse it off
- Repeat this treatment two times in a day until white spots on your tongue clear away
2. Hydrogen peroxide
The antiseptic nature of hydrogen peroxide can help to kill harmful bacteria and fungus in your mouth cavity that can lead to oral bumps. The reagent can also help to relieve inflammation on the tongue.
How to use:
- Dilute 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide with water
- Swish the solution in your mouth cavity for 1 minute before you spit it out
- Rinse your mouth cavity with cold water
- Repeat this treatment twice daily until white bumps on your tongue go away
3. Salt solution
Rinsing your oral cavity with salt solution is an effective home remedy that can help to clear away white bumps from your tongue.
How to use:
- Mix one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water
- Swish the salt solution in your mouth cavity several times
- Repeat this steps three times daily until white spots on your tongue go away
4. Lemon juice
You can use lemon juice as a home remedy that can help to remove white bumps from your tongue. the citric acid in the lemon juice has the antiseptic properties that can help kill harmful bacteria and fungi in the mouth cavity that can lead to white sores.
How to use:
- Get ¼ cup of lemon juice
- Swish the juice in your oral cavity several times as you spit it out
- Repeat this treatment three times daily until white bumps on your tongue clear way
5. Aloe Vera
Applying Aloe Vera on your tongue can help in the healing of white bumps. Aloe Vera has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to relieve oral sores and bumps on your tongue.
How to use:
- Get 1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera juice or cream
- Apply it directly to the affected area of your tongue
- Rinse your mouth after 5 minutes
- Repeat this treatment twice daily until white bump on your tongue clear away
Medical Treatment
You can use medical treatment to remove bumps from your tongue that are likely to advance to a more serious health problem. You can visit your doctor to help you in diagnosis and treatment of your oral problem.
The common method that your doctor might use to treat white bumps on tongue includes:
- Perception of oral medication that can help to cure infections that lead to white spots in your mouth
- Prescription of medicinal mouthwash that can help to facilitate the healing of oral bumps.
- Surgical treatment that can help to remove chronic bumps from your tongue
When to See a Doctor
You can see your doctor over white bumps on tongue if you notice the following conditions:
- If the white bumps on your tongue has persisted for more than three weeks without healing
- When the whole of your mouth cavity has white bumps that look worrisome
- If the bumps on your tongue cause difficulties in eating and talking
- When the white bumps on your tongue are growing into large lumps than normal
- If white bumps on your tongue has a characteristic of bleeding if something touches
Sources & References
[showhide type=”links” more_text=”Show Sources and References” less_text=”Hide Sources and References”]
- White bumps on the tongue: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/tongue-bumps
- Signs and symptoms of white bumps on the tongue: https://www.livestrong.com/article/312409-large-white-bumps-on-the-tongue/
- Causes of white bumps on the tongue: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tongue-problem-basics-sore-or-discolored-tongue-and-tongue-bumps#1
- How to get rid of white bumps on the tongue: https://www.livestrong.com/article/113947-rid-white-bumps-side-tongue/
- Treatment of white bumps on the tongue: https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Bumps-on-Your-Tongue
- Home remedies of white bumps on the tongue: http://10naturalhomeremedies.com/natural-remedies-to-get-rid-of-white-bump-on-tongue/ [/showhide]
