White spots on the tongue have different causes.
They can look like pimple-key in bumps, or they may be white canker sores with a red edge.
While these spots aren’t typically serious, an underlying cause such as syphilis orleukoplakiarequires evaluation and treatment.
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A normal tongue is covered with tiny bumps calledpapillae.
Papillae contain taste buds and help you sense temperature and touch.They are usually pink or white.
When you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria and yeast can build up on your tongue.
This white buildup causes the papillae to become inflamed and discolored, in all or parts of the tongue.
Some people might notice redness, bad breath, or a bad taste in the mouth.
Regular brushing and flossing can prevent white spots.
A mouthwash or a tongue scraper approved by the American Dental Association can help remove the buildup.
Medications and other health conditions may be the cause.
They can look like white or yellow spots with a red border.They are also calledaphthous ulcers.
Canker sores are common, affecting up to 20% of the population.
If you have recurrent canker sores, your healthcare provider can prescribe medicated mouthwash to help prevent outbreaks.
Lie Bumps
Transient lingual papillitisis a condition commonly known as “lie bumps.”
Lie bumps are inflamed papillae.
They usually appear suddenly and can be white or red in appearance.
Lie bumps:
Lie bumps are more common on the tip of the tongue or along the sides.
They may also be related to stress, poor nutrition or sleep, eating spicy foods, or smoking.
Lie bumps usually go away on their own in a few days.
In severe cases, they can last up to three weeks.
The cause of thrush is an overgrowth of a yeast calledCandida.
The typicaltreatment for oral thrushis a prescription of antifungal medication.
This can come in the form of lozenges, tablets, or liquid.
This treatment is usually prescribed for seven to 14 days.
Certain medications such as antibiotics and muscle relaxers are known to cause white patches.
Antibiotics create yeast, which can lead to the occurrence of white patches in the mouth.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakiahappens when one or more lesions or white patches form inside the mouth.
This condition is known to develop into oral cancer in a certain percentage of people.
When treating leukoplakia, the goal is to prevent cancer.
Although the lesions can be removed, they can also return.
If you smoke and drink alcohol regularly, it is important to stop.
Treatments include:
Another option is surgery to remove the lesions.
Hairy leukoplakia is often diagnosed based on medical history combined with a simple oral exam.
Some cases of hairy leukoplakia may require treatment with a topical medication.
If the sore is causing severe symptoms, they may recommend having it surgically removed.
These may start out as areas of redness, swelling and pain.
Cold sores:
Cold sores on the tongue are usually diagnosed with an oral examination.
Your healthcare provider may also take a sample of the fluid inside the sore.
Most people have no other symptoms, though some may experience a burning sensation on the tongue.
Geographic tongue is brought on by the loss of papillae, though it is unclear why this occurs.
Some possible causes include:
The condition may resolve on its own or it may come and go.
Geographic tongue is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms and the appearance of your tongue.
Since geographic tongue doesn’t usually cause pain or other uncomfortable symptoms, treatment isn’t usually necessary.
They may be silvery or white.
Other symptoms include flu-like ones such as muscle aches, fever, sore throat, or fatigue.
It is important to speak with a healthcare professional to get the proper treatment and education regarding the infection.
Syphilis is typically treated with antibiotics.Your healthcare provider will repeat testing after the entire course of treatment is complete.
It is important to get tested regularly and to practice safer sex, including the use of condoms.
Oral Lichen Planus
Oral lichen planusis a condition that appears in the mouth.
It stems from lichen planus, a chronic disease that affects the mucous membranes and skin.
This happens when mucus is secreted from the thin layers of tissue that line the body cavity.
It is not contagious and usually affects people between age 50 and 60 years.
Some medications can cause oral lichen.
These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers.
If oral lichen planus is mild, it may go away on its own over time.
A healthcare professional will monitor the condition, and treatment may not be needed.
In the event that the symptoms worsen, the doctor may recommend treatments.
It may appear as a white or red patch.
If they find any suspicious lesions, they will refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment.
Oral cancer is treatable if caught early.
Summary
White spots or patches on the tongue usually have benign (not harmful) causes.
You may get them when you are dehydrated or because of poor oral hygiene.
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