At some point in your lifetime, you may notice small white bumps on the end of your tongue. In certain instances, these white bumps can be normal, or they may indicate a more serious condition. White bumps may develop on your tongue for a number of reasons, ranging from a minor burn to mouth cancer. Since there are so many possible causes, it's best to have your tongue examined by your health-care provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Identification
When white bumps form on your tongue, they may or may not cause pain, depending upon the cause. The white bumps may form in clusters, patches or as individual bumps. The bumps can vary in size from small, tiny dots to larger, blister-like bumps.
Causes
Your tongue may develop white bumps due to a yeast infection, also known as thrush. Certain medications such as antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs can cause oral thrush, according to KidsHealth. Leukoplakia is a condition in which thick white patches form at the bottom of your mouth and tongue. The exact cause of leukoplakia is unknown, according to MayoClinic.com, but tobacco seems to play a critical role in its development. Oral lichen planus can cause white bumps or sores to form on your tongue and in your mouth. General local irritation, such as a slight burn on your tongue, can cause white bumps to form on the tip of your tongue. Eating spicy foods will sometimes cause white bumps to appear on the tip of your tongue if the spices irritate your tongue.
Significance
Certain infections, such as oral lichen planus, are autoimmune. An autoimmune disease cannot be spread from person to person as a virus can. Your body develops these infections on its own. Leukoplakia is typically non-threatening, but in certain instances, it can be a serious symptom of cancerous cells forming in your mouth, according to MayoClinic.com. Leukoplakia tends to affect smokers and other tobacco users more than non-tobacco users.
Prevention/Solution
Avoiding tobacco use can reduce the risk of developing mouth infections. If you notice white bumps on your tongue after beginning a new or different medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the possibility of this side effect. Avoiding spicy foods can help reduce the risk of developing white bumps on your tongue, especially if you've had a previous experience with certain foods, such as curry.
Considerations
If you begin to notice the white bumps growing in size or forming clusters on your tongue, talk to your dentist or health-care provider right away. If you begin to notice changes in the white bumps, this can be an indication that the cells are changing from their original form. The cells may have started as benign bumps and are now growing into cancerous cells.
