Biting or burning your tongue with hot food or drink can cause pain and swelling. This should only last a few days.
A white tongue can be a sign of a health condition, such as anaemia, scarlet fever, lichen planus, leukoplakia, geographic tongue, mouth ulcers or oral thrush.
If you've recently noticed a white spot on your tongue, you probably have a lot of questions about what it means. Catching a white spot or patch inside your mouth can be shocking, so we don't blame you if you're alarmed! But there are various causes of white spots on your tongue, and most are completely harmless. Still, it's crucial to figure out what kind of growth or lesion you have because you may be wondering, "what do white spots on my tongue mean?"
Chances are, the white spot or patch on your tongue will go away on its own. But if they linger, it's worth visiting a dental professional to have them checked out. Oral thrush, canker sores, and leukoplakia are the most common causes of white spots on the tongue. Let's go over these conditions, their treatment and prevention, and guidance for when there's reason to visit a dental professional.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush, an overgrowth of a naturally occurring fungus called candida, often appears in a person with a weakened immune system. There's a wide variety of people who are at risk of having a weakened immune system. Risk factors for oral thrush include:
- Age: either very young or elderly people
- Wearing dentures
- Smoking
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Other immune-compromising conditions
- A recent course of antibiotics. This is because antibiotics can weaken the bacteria that keep your mouth's naturally occurring candida in balance.
It's rarely serious, but a long-term infection of oral thrush may need treatment. Besides white spots on your tongue, oral thrush can also appear as redness and soreness, cracked corners of your lips, a loss of taste, and dry mouth. By scraping oral thrush spots, you can usually remove the white coating. But note that you should do this very carefully, as you run the risk of irritating your tongue and causing it to bleed.
Canker Sores
If you have a white spot on your tongue surrounded by a red, inflamed halo, it's probably a canker sore. These common and recurring lesions can range in size and appear as a single white spot on your tongue or in a group. Canker sores are often painful, and scraping doesn't remove them. Viruses, bacteria, a family history of canker sores, and immune system issues are some suspected risk factors for canker sores, even though their root cause is still unknown. And there's a wide range of canker sore triggers that include:
- Trauma to the skin (like biting the area)
- Allergies
- Stress
- Cigarette smoking
- Acidic foods
- Iron and vitamin deficiencies
- Toothpaste and mouthwash with sodium lauryl sulfate
Canker sores usually go away on their own. They're not contagious and do not pose more severe health risks. As noted by Mayo Clinic, most canker sores that are small require no medical attention. They clear up on their own within a week or two. But if your canker sore is large and painful, seeing a medical professional can help. They may prescribe one of the following treatments to provide relief, such as a topical, gel, antibiotic, mouth rinse, or cauterizing of the sore.
Leukoplakia
If you notice thick white or grayish patches on your tongue or other parts of your mouth, such as your gums, the bottom of your mouth, or the inside of your cheeks, you may have leukoplakia. Like with other lesions that develop in the mouth, the exact cause is unknown. But there seem to be risk factors for developing leukoplakia. They include:
- Smoking
- Heavy use of chewing tobacco
- Excessive use of alcohol
While completely stopping these habits usually clears leukoplakia, the condition also carries a small risk of developing into oral cancer. Wiping or scraping does not change leukoplakia's appearance or texture, which may be thick or hardened. So we recommend visiting your dental or medical professional for a checkup when you notice a growth in your mouth that is consistent with leukoplakia, especially if it hasn't gone away on its own within two weeks, as noted by Mayo Clinic. They may decide that removing your leukoplakia is necessary through oral supplements, surgery, laser, cryotherapy, or another method, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.
Hairy Leukoplakia
Fuzzy white patches that appear on the tongue's sides as ridges or folds are symptoms of hairy leukoplakia. This is a specific type of leukoplakia usually found in people with a weakened immune system. The fuzzy white patches are a result of infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This virus lasts a lifetime but remains dormant in the body until a weakened immune system sparks an attack. Mayo Clinic notes that people with HIV/AIDS are at particular risk for developing hairy leukoplakia. It can sometimes be mistaken for oral thrush, as they look similar. But unlike oral thrush, you can't scrape hairy leukoplakia's white patches off.
When to Visit Your Dental Professional
If a white spot on your tongue doesn't go on its own within two weeks, visit your medical or dental professional to have it checked. Most conditions may go away on their own. Still, it's always wise to see a professional for a consultation to ensure your growth or lesion doesn't develop into something more serious. It's also vital to continue with your routine dental checkups, as a small white lesion can be caught before it becomes larger or more painful.
An excellent preventive measure for reducing your risk of white spots on your tongue and other oral problems is a stellar oral care routine! This includes brushing your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride, cleaning between your teeth once a day with floss or a water flosser (also known as interdental cleaning), and using a mouthwash for any bits of bacteria that may have been missed. Most people experience white spots on their tongues at some point in their lives, so it's not something you should panic about. But we don't blame you; finding a white growth on your tongue when you look in the mirror is, of course, alarming! Though the spots are unlikely to be harmful, they could be a sign of another health issue. That's why a checkup with your dental professional can help put your mind at ease.
How do I get rid of the white stuff on my tongue?
Things you can do if you have a sore or white tongue.
use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth..
brush your tongue or use a scraper to help improve a white tongue..
use a straw to drink cool drinks..
take paracetamol or ibuprofen..
Why is the roof of my tongue white?
Why is my tongue white? A white film may appear on your tongue when bacteria and food get caught between the tiny bumps on your tongue's surface, called papillae. Your papillae are raised, creating a large surface area for debris to collect inside your mouth. The papillae may swell and become inflamed.
Does white tongue mean dehydration?
If you're dehydrated, you may notice your tongue has a rough surface or it develops a white layer. Most causes of a white tongue aren't serious. Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of a white tongue and can be cleared up by improving oral health habits.
What is the white cheesy stuff on my tongue?
The main symptom of oral thrush is white lesions that resemble cottage cheese, found usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. Thrush can happen in anyone, but it's more common in babies and toddlers, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. It can result from: Antibiotic and corticosteroid use.