What do bumps on the back of the tongue mean

If cancer is suspected or if the cause of the bump is unknown, the doctor may recommend a biopsy or removal of the lump for diagnosis. Treatment depends on the cause of the bump. Antifungal medications are a treatment option for oral thrush while most bacterial infections will require antibiotics.

Some conditions, such as lie bumps, will clear up on their own. Herpes is not curable, but antiviral medications can help prevent further outbreaks. Many medical conditions can weaken the immune system and make tongue bumps more likely, so treatment may also include testing for other diseases, such as diabetes. Proper management of these conditions can reduce the risk of tongue bumps returning. Good oral health can reduce the risk of tongue bumps and cancer, and can help prevent bumps from getting infected or becoming painful.

People should take care of their oral hygiene by:. Individuals up to the age of 26 should consider getting the human papillomavirus HPV vaccine. HPV is the virus linked to oral and genital cancer. Most tongue bumps appear without obvious cause and go away on their own. They may come back months or years later or never occur again.

In either case, tongue bumps should rarely be cause for concern. Even when tongue bumps are the result of a more serious medical condition, such as an infection, they can be a helpful early warning sign that encourages prompt treatment. By seeing a doctor sooner rather than later, it is possible to improve the outlook associated with ongoing medical conditions, including cancer. Tongue bumps can be a source of worry or embarrassment.

However, they are a common occurrence and are most likely to be due to a minor injury or a fairly harmless condition. People with tongue bumps should monitor their symptoms and take good care of the mouth and tongue. If symptoms get worse or are very painful, they should see a doctor. Read the article in Spanish. Wounds on the tongue may need stitches if they are large or deep. Learn about home care strategies and when to contact a doctor here.

A sore on the side of the tongue is usually a canker sore or cold sore. However, sores are sometimes symptoms of other conditions. Learn more here. Cracked tongue causes one or more grooves to form on the tongue's surface. Here, learn about the causes, how to prevent complications, and more. Neuralgia can also be a source of tongue pain.

This is a very severe pain that occurs along a damaged nerve. Neuralgia occurs for no obvious reason, or it can occur due to:. When the tongue swells very suddenly, the likely reason is an allergic reaction. This can result in difficulty breathing. Difficulty breathing due to tongue swelling is a medical emergency.

If this occurs, you should get medical help right away. You should make an appointment to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment if your tongue problem is severe, unexplained, or persists for several days with no signs of improvement. During your appointment, your doctor will thoroughly examine your tongue and ask you several questions about your tongue and your symptoms.

Most likely, your doctor will want to take a sample of blood to test for or rule out various disorders that could be causing your tongue issues. Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor will recommend treatments for your specific problem. You can prevent or relieve some tongue problems by practicing good dental hygiene. Brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings.

If you have a canker sore or a sore that occurs due to a mouth injury, you should do the following:. Spots on your tongue can signal different conditions depending on the color, shape, and location.

Learn more about ways to identify spots on your…. The reasons for it might be anything from…. Have you ever noticed bumps on the back of your tongue? Often these bumps are caused by some type of oral infection. Find out what causes these bumps and when they are a cause for concern. The tongue is made up of muscles and the surface is covered with a mucous membrane.

Typically, small bumps also known as papillae cover the surface of the back part of your tongue. Between the papillae are your taste buds that help you taste foods.

Usually, these papillae are pretty unnoticeable. But sometimes, they become enlarged and can cause you pain.

This can happen for many reasons. Oral thrush. If the inside of your mouth is red and you see white patches on your tongue and inner cheeks, you might have oral thrush. Wiping these patches off can leave red spots that bleed. The good news is that oral thrush is pretty harmless for most people and can be cured with antifungal medicine. The primary symptom of this condition is thickened, white patches on your tongue, gums, bottom of the mouth, and the insides of your cheeks.

Chronic irritation from tobacco is often the cause. While leukoplakia patches are usually noncancerous, some do show early signs of cancer. For various reasons, your tongue can appear weird, and many of them are easily overlooked.

The surface of your tongue is covered with a mucous membrane. Usually, the surface of the part at the back of your tongue is covered with tiny bumps called papillae. In between the papillae exist your taste buds, which are used to enjoy food. There are many causes of these swollen bumps on the back of the tongue.

There are several causes of bumps on the back of the tongue. By just seeing a bump on the tongue, a dentist or physician cannot find the cause and may need more information for a diagnosis. Here are the most common reasons behind a bumpy tongue.

A tongue injury can make your tongue bumpy. Just like the other body parts, trauma can result in inflammation. If you accidentally bite your tongue, you may notice inflamed bumps a few days after biting. If you hurriedly eat or drink hot food or liquid, you can also injure your tongue and make it bumpy. If you have sores in your mouth, understand that it must be canker sores behind them. Canker sores are mostly found on the inner side of lips, but they are sometimes visible on the tongue.

They appear white, red, or yellow-toned. The sores can give you painful sensations and be a cause of discomfort. For some people, the triggering point of canker sores can be foods, but the actual cause is still not discovered.