A pimple is a boil that grows when the oil gland, pores, or follicle gets clogged and infected. It is swollen, red, and painful; it may or may not have pus in them. While we know this for a fact, the tongue is an organ that does not have follicles or clogged pores, so technically, there can be no pimple on tongue.
However, that pimple-like structure you are feeling may be a bump that can be as simple as a lie bump or, in rare cases, something more serious, cancer. But, there is no need to panic just yet. Read on to know more about the type of pimples or bumps a tongue may have and how they can be dealt with.
Enlarged Papillae or Tongue Pimple
We often eat food without really paying attention and accidentally bite a part of our tongue; this causes the papillae to grow in size due to inflammation. It mimics a pimple and can be very painful.
White Pimple on the Tongue
Lingual papillitis can present itself in the form of either red or white pimple on tongue, commonly called lie bumps. There can be two reasons for this, a common trigger is spicy foods; if you see these pimple-like structures on the tongue after eating anything hot, it is probably due to that. Such bumps on the tongue are named transient lie bumps. They usually resolve on their own and do not require treatment.
Another factor that can cause white pimple on tongue tip or anywhere else is infection. If a fever and swollen glands accompany the bump on your tongue, an infection is more likely involved.
Getting to the root cause of a lie bump is necessary for its treatment. If it is because of an infection, then you should visit your dentist and get it examined. He will prescribe you antibiotics or any other medication needed.
Food triggered pimple on the tongue easily go away on their own. But, we can accelerate it by rinsing with warm salt water or baking soda solution.
What is a Canker Sore?
Canker sores are painful white lesions surrounded by swollen red tissues.
They appear as a white pimple on tongue. They can be of various sizes and might appear on the cheek and gums as well.
It is mostly triggered by
- stress
- spicy food items
- allergy
- irritation to a component in toothpaste, specifically sodium lauryl sulfate or
- low Vit B levels
Symptoms of canker sores
- fever with swollen lymph nodes
- pain in the pimple-like structure on the tongue
- circular or oval-shaped ulcer
Treatment of Canker Sore
Luckily, canker sores last for about a week to ten days only, and do not require medical attention. On the other hand, if there is pain associated, saltwater rinse works wonders to lessen it.
Oral Cancer
While it’s most likely that the pimple on your tongue is any one of the above, it could be, in rare scenarios, a cancerous bump. The growth in such conditions on the tongue appears to be persistent and does not go away with time. If the bump remains for more than two weeks, it is advised to get a screening done as soon as possible.
If you have any doubts about the pimple on tongue, get an appointment with the dentist in Smile Time Dental for a consultation now. Call 281 245 0711 for details.