Small White Bumps on Tongue

It can be very discomforting when you get small white bumps on tongue, because you will have difficulty in swallowing food. The tongue performs crucial tasks when it comes to eating or swallowing food, and when this gets hampered you will face many difficulties.

It is one of the strongest muscle groups in our body, and it is not a good experience when it gets affected. When it is normal and healthy, it has a pink color and has small nodules on it known as papillae. It is also covered with taste buds and is quite sensitive.

This is one of the reasons people get those white spots. There is no clear reason why we get canker sores. People can get them due to food allergies and by excessive consumption of citrus fruits, like orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc.

Sharp teeth causing abrasion to the tongue can also lead to canker sores, while another cause is vitamin deficiency. Some of the diseases that can lead to this are Celiac and Crohn's disease.

Treatment
There is no specific treatment for canker sores, they just go away on their own; although you can take certain steps for a speedy recovery. One of the things you could do is avoid spicy food, also stay away from acidic food that might cause irritation.

Make equal part mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water, and dab it over the sores and end the routine by dabbing the sores with milk of magnesia. There are several over the counter mouthwash and ointments that you could try.

This yeast infection develops in the mouth and causes white bumps. The fungus known as candida albicans accumulates on the lining of the mouth causing painful lesions. Immune deficiency can lead to oral thrush and can be seen in people with HIV/Aids, diabetes, cancer, etc.

Women are also susceptible during pregnancy, as they undergo hormonal changes. Women on birth control pills are also susceptible. People who use dentures are also prone to get oral thrush, leading to little lesions.

Treatment
One of the treatment methods used to cure oral thrush is antifungal drugs, although the treatment may vary depending on factors, like age, cause, and gender of the patient. For babies, doctors may prescribe a mild anti fungal cream.

For people who have weak immune systems, the doctors might give tablets or liquid mouth wash. In some cases, intravenous anti fungal treatment may also be given. Some of the anti fungal medicines that may be prescribed are nystatin, econazole, fluconazole, etc.

One of the major causes of leukoplakia is smoking and chewing betel leaves. This causes irritation to the mucous membrane of the mouth, causing white bumps. Sharp teeth and uneven dentures can also lead to leukoplakia. Although not proven, but long-term use of alcohol may also lead to leukoplakia.

Treatment
This best way is to address the cause of irritation, for example, if chewing betel leaves is causing irritation, then you will have to stop chewing them. Fixing the dentures properly will help deal with the irritation. In some cases, the lesion do not disappear even after removing the source of irritation, and in such cases, surgery is required. It is a simple procedure done with the use of local anesthesia.

Small white bumps on tongue usually disappear with 5-7 days of appearing, however, if they persist even after this duration, schedule an appointment with a doctor. Like with many other diseases and conditions, prevention is always better than cure.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.