Red dots on tongue may indicate malnutrition, weak immunity, microbial infection or some sort of autoimmune disease. The treatment depends upon the causes, but by following few precautions you can stay away from this condition.
Under normal circumstances, the tongue is light red or pink in color. This reflects the wellness of the internal organs and blood circulation. Alteration in the general appearance of tongue indicates infection, malnutrition or some disease.
Keeping this fact into consideration, there can be numerous factors that can lead to the formation of red dots on tongue. Seeking medical assistance is a necessity to learn the exact cause and treatment. However, there are a number of things that you can do at home to get rid of red dots.
Causes
Red dots are actually small blood bumps on tongue. There can be several possible reasons behind the occurrence of red dots.
Digestive Disorders: Gastric problems like acid reflux may also result in red bumps or dots on the tongue because of the regurgitated acid from the stomach.
Allergic Reactions: It can be some sort of allergic reaction produced by the immune system of your body against a foreign substance, better known as allergen in such cases. Allergic reaction due to food, medicine or drug may also result in such condition.
For example: People suffering from asthma may observe such dots on the tongue which are caused due to the allergic reaction that results in the inflammation of the lungs.
Deficiency of Vitamin B: The most common reason can be the deficiency of vitamin B in the body.
Geographic Tongue: This condition is characterized by the formation of map-like pattern on the surface of the tongue which is accompanied by red spots. This condition is usually harmless but if you experience pain and discomfort then you should consult a doctor.
Oral Cancer: This can be a rare cause of red dots. But it may contribute to the condition and may sometimes cause painful bumps.
Scarlet Fever: This fever is caused due to the streptococcal infection and is one of the causes of red dots.
Kawasaki Disease: Large red dots present on the back of the tongue are caused by an autoimmune disorder called Kawasaki disease. These are actually warts that look similar to bumps and can be removed.
Alcohol and Smoking: Excess consumption of alcohol and smoking may cause painful and inflamed bumps on the tongue.
Other Causes: Spicy and hot food, excess body heat, STDs, bleeding, taste bud disorder, physical trauma, etc., are some of the other causes for such condition.
Prevention and Treatment
Following are some of the preventive measures and treatments to avoid such oral condition.
Following a proper dental hygiene can prevent the formation of dots and bumps on the tongue. Try to keep your mouth, especially the tongue clean. Brush your teeth and clean the tongue with a tongue-cleaner at least twice a day.
Rinse your mouth with water after eating anything. You may use antacids like Maalox and Mylanta, and antihistamines such as benadryl instead of water, if you wish.
Increase the amount of vitamin B in your diet to replenish its deficiency in your body. This will help your tongue to get rid of the red dots.
Using a good quality throat spray and chewing gums, will also help to treat small red dots. They do it by maintaining pH levels and hygiene in the mouth.
If you suspect a bacterial infection to be the causative agent, salt water may provide you fast relief. Take a glass of water and add a tablespoon of common salt to it. Mix well and swish it. Hold it in your mouth for about 1-2 minutes and spit it.
Perform this task 2-3 times a day. This will keep the bacterial infections under check. Thereby healing inflammation or red dots.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush for brushing teeth as hard bristles may aggravate the condition.
Apart from the above given home remedies, you should work to strengthen your immune system. A strong immune system will fight the causative micro-organism, and hence will bring the condition to normal. Pro-biotic food like yogurt can help in increasing the amount of beneficial bacteria when there is any bacterial infection.
Follow a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B and iron are necessary for a healthy tongue. You can include nuts, apricots, red meat, etc.
Try all the suggested home remedies for a period of 12-15 days. In case you observe positive results, then continue with the same otherwise pay a visit to a doctor. There can be some serious underlying cause for red dots.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.