Bumps On Back Of Tongue

Bumps On Back Of Tongue






Should you care for the bumps on your tongue? The tongue performs various functions that you may not know. Tongue is built with oblong shaped muscles that carry nerves and oxygenated blood. Tongue is extremely movable and hence it is the only organ that helps in eating, drinking and sucking. Newborn babies use only their tongue to suck milk when breastfeeding. In addition, the tongue is used for chewing, pressing, grinding and salivating.

You are able to enjoy the delicious food through the taste receptors present in your tongue. And finally the tongue is accountable for speaking due to its exceptionally movable nature. What happens if you see some bumps on your tongue? Whether it is serious or you can just ignore it? Read this article to know how far bumps on your tongue are bothersome and serious.

What are tongue bumps?

Bumps on your tongue can appear as painful sores in the form of small lesions. Most of them are red in color but some are black or yellowish brown spots. It can cause pain when you eat or drink.

Symptoms of Tongue Bumps : How to identify bumps?

It is easy to identify tongue bumps. It appears as tiny lesions or blisters either on your tongue or at its back. Some people may develop tiny bumps even on the sides of the tongue.

Bumps On Your Tongue Can Cause :

• Pain while eating and drinking


• Difficulty while talking


• Discomfort while brushing your teeth

Size and Shape of Bumps :

Tongue bumps are very small in size ranging half-an inch or even lesser. They are oval or round shaped structure that are pinkish red in color.

Causes :

• Trauma :

Most of the tongue bumps appear because of mild injury that occurs when you bite your tongue by mistake. Grinding your teeth when you are angry can cause irritation to the soft membranes of the tongue on its sides causing bumps. Eating hard foods can damage the lining of the tongue causing bumps on the back of your tongue. Allergic foods can also irritate the tongue causing painful sores or bumps.

• Deficiency of vitamins :

If you are anemic or have low levels of vitamins it can cause bumps on the tongue.

• Bad Habits :

Smoking or chewing of tobacco (in any form) can certainly damage the tongue.

• Weakened immunity :

When your immune system gets weak due to any reasons like fever or Common Cold it can trigger Mouth Ulcers and sores on the tongue.

• Diseases :

Certain chronic medical conditions like diabetes and anemia (low levels of iron and folic acid) can lead to formation of bumps at the back of the tongue.

• Mouth Ulcer :

Mouth ulcer or Canker Sores can suddenly form on the oral cavity including the tongue. It can cause difficulty in speaking and chewing and get worse if you are stressed.

• Infection :

Strep infection on your throat and Scarlet Fever can cause red bumps and painful sores on the tongue.

• Dental Issues :

Poor dental hygiene and dental process like root canal can affect the soft lining of the tongue causing painful bumps.

• Oral sex :

Viral infections like Herpes Simplex virus can seriously affect the oral cavity causing lesions on the throat, gums and the tongue. This infection can occur by oral sex also.

• Syndrome :

Specific medical conditions like Kawasaki syndrome and burning tongue syndrome can cause red bumps on the back of the tongue. Women are likely to get burning tongue during menopause.

• Inflammation :

Swelling of papillae occurs when the taste receptors get irritated leading to painful bumps.

• Antibiotics :

Yeast Infection can occur after taking antibiotics and after wearing dentures which can potentially destroy good bacteria present in the mouth. This condition can cause bumps.

• Serious Diseases :

In rare cases Oral Cancer in the initial stages can cause bumps or lesions on the mouth and tongue. But it may not be painful. Leukoplakia is another problem in which white cells grow in uncontrolled manner causing white patches and lesions on the tongue. This can also be due to oral cancer. Any form of bumps or lesions on the tongue that is not painful can be serious. And it may not go away even after a week. It is time to check with your doctor if you have such symptoms.

Other Causes :

Some strong medications and mouthwashes can cause painful ulcers and bumps on the tongue.

Warning Signals :

Often having few bumps on the tongue is not serious except for having difficulty in chewing and speaking. You need to consult your physician if the bumps do not go away after a week or if they are colorless and not hurting.

Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Bumps on Back of Tongue :

Treatment :

There are plenty of conservative treatments for bumps on the tongue.

• Salt Water Gargle :

Take a cup of warm water and add 1tsp of salt to it. Gargle with solution 3-4 times a day. Salt is a good anti-inflammatory agent and hence it can destroy bacteria and other infections.

• Mint leaves :

Handful of mint leaves can do wonders for healing the lesions on the tongue. Chew few mint leaves whenever possible which helps in healing of bumps quickly.

• Avoid Hot And Spicy Foods :

When you have bumps and lesions on the tongue or mouth avoid hot foods and drinks which can make the condition worse. Instead stick on to soft foods that require less or no chewing.

• Salt And Fried Items :

Never get tempted to eat fried foods and salted items. This can cause further irritation leading to more number of bumps and burning sensation.

• Dental Hygiene :

Brushing twice a day and regular flossing can prevent most of the problems in oral cavity. Wash your mouth properly after taking any food. Don’t change toothpaste and mouthwashes often. Change your toothbrush once in two months. Visit your dentist at least once in 6 months to check the dental condition.

Medical treatment :

Based on the symptoms of pain and discomfort, your dentist can prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In severe cases of pain, he/she may prescribe steroid medications like prednisolone. In some cases of severe Allergy your doctor may give you a shot of diphenylhydramine for getting quick relief from symptoms.