The tongue is the primary organ of taste. It's made up of many muscles that assist in tasting, chewing, talking and swallowing. Mucous membranes and papillae cover the tongue and assist in the tongues functions. When white spots form on the tongue, it usually occurs from food coatings or as a symptom of an oral condition. If the white spots cause pain and swell, it may be a sign of underlying medical conditions. A health care provider can assist in diagnosing and treating symptoms.
Canker Sores
Canker sores, or aphthous ulcers, are small shallow lesions that appear around the mouth. They typically occur at the cheeks, lips, gums and on or under the tongue. The most common canker sores have an oval shape, white center, red borders and appear up to an inch across. Canker sores typically go away on their own within two weeks but may persist if caused by underlying medical problems. About one-third of people with recurrent canker sores have a family history of the condition and women develop the lesions more often, according to MayoClinic.com. Certain foods, stress, dietary deficiencies and tissue injury can trigger canker sores, but the exact cause of the condition is unknown.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a condition caused by forms of fungus called Candida. The fungus accumulates on the mucus membrane lining of the mouth and cause a yeast infection. The condition can occur in anyone, but most often affects people with weakened immune systems and children. Illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS make some people more susceptible to the infection. Symptoms of oral thrush include white lesions on the tongue and inner cheeks, cracking at the corners of the mouth, pain and loss of taste. MedlinePlus reports that the lesions can slowly increase in number and size, and generally gets better within two weeks. Infection may also spread to the gums, tonsils and esophagus in severe cases.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion that usually appears on the inside of the cheek or tongue. The condition can have various appearances, but mostly forms as white patches, with slightly raised texture and thickened areas. Leukoplakia can also cause pain and sensitivities to touch. The condition causes the cells in the mouth to grow rapidly and it is often linked to chronic irritants, tobacco and long-term alcohol use. Most cases of leukoplakia are harmless, but in rare cases the condition can lead to mouth cancer. Risk factors for the condition include weakened immune systems, those older than 65 and men usually experience the condition more than women, according to DoctorsofUSC.com.
