White patchesor spots on thetonguecan be sparked by various reasons.
Explore what these spots look like and identifies the underlying illness or cause.
Geographic Tongue
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Geographic tongueis aninflammatorytongue condition also known as benignmigratory glossitis.
It is due to the loss of the papilla (the tiny white bumps that cover the tongue).
The condition causes reddened, smooth areas on the tongue surrounded by white, irregular borders.
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It may cause burning or stinging when eating or drinking certain foods and beverages.
It is due to theEbstein-Barr virus(EBV) and appears as white, hairy patches on the tongue.
Hairy leukoplakia can also occur in other areas of the mouth besides the tongue.
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It may cause no other symptoms or may be painful with sores and redness.
Syphilis on Tongue
Syphilisis a commonsexually transmitted infection(STI).
It can cause sores calledchancres.
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These may be present in the mouth.
As the condition progresses it develops white patches in the mouth and tongue.
It causes white areas in the mouth and tongue that bleed when brushed or scraped.
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It typically appears as a small white spot surrounded by redness.
It can be because of biting, stress, or certain foods, or the cause may be unknown.
This spot or patch is not easily scraped off.
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It can be a precancerous condition and may progress to cancer.
Your risks are increased if you smoke, use smokeless tobacco, or use alcohol heavily.
It may also have open sores that causepain, tenderness, or stinging.
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The underlying condition causing the symptoms will mark the key differences between what people see or experience.
Can You Remove White Spots on Tongue at Home?
Tongue scrapersand toothbrushes are often used to removewhite coatingsof food debris and bacteria from the tongue.
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When in doubt, seek help from your dentist.
Summary
White spots on the tongue are signs that there may be an underlying infection or illness.
It also may be from an injury to the tongue.
MedlinePlus.Thrush - children and adults.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral hairy leukoplakia.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lichen planus.
National Healthcare Service.Mouth ulcers.
Canadian Cancer Society.Precancerous conditions of the mouth.
Choi HN, Cho YS, Koo JW.The effect of mechanical tongue cleaning on oral malodor and tongue coating.IJERPH.
2021;19(1):108. doi:10.3390%2Fijerph19010108
