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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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White Head Spot On Posterior Lateral Tongue. Painless. What Could It Be?

Hi, I have a white head spot on the posterior lateral tongue , it looks shiny and white. It has been there for 3 weeks, and although I have been to show it to a dentist he didnt think it was a cause for concern but did not say what it may be. This was over a week ago, and the little spot is still there. It is painless but if I do try to probe it, it feels like there is something on my tongue bothering me. thanks
Wed, 3 Jul 2013
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Dentist 's  Response
Hi,

Thanks for posting the query,

There are various causes of whitish coating on the tongue surface like Leukoplakia , which develops when the tongue is irritated with tobacco ,
Oral Thrush or Candidiasis , develops due to yeast infection .
Geographic tongue and LIchen planus .

In our case it may be a coating that is built up by dead skin cells as wel as remnants of food. If you are ill coating may also be caused by mucus build up cells.

Clean the tongue with a tongue cleaner

Drink plenty of water .

Concern to Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon and get checkup done .

Hope this helps out.

Regards.....
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Dentist Dr. Neha Gupta's  Response
Hello,
I am Dr.Neha Gupta (dentist) and am glad to address to your query here.

White patch on the tongue can be due to various conditions / diseases. If you are tobacco addict (smoking or chewing), it can be leukoplakia, which is a precancerous lesion. Try to scrape this patch with a toothbrush, if it doesn't go it can be any precancerous lesion or precancerous condition (like leukoplakia, lichen planus etc). If you doesn't have any oral habits but oral hygiene is poor (dirty teeth, swollen gums, foul mouth odor), than it can be a fungal infection called oral candidiasis. If the patch is non-itchy, you can rule out the fungal infection. Moreover, it can be a feature of HIV infection: hairy leukoplakia. This patch looks white with raised scaffoldings which appear like hair on it. Its an oral manifestation of AIDS and it occurs mostly on the side of tongue.

Complete clinical oral examination along with required tests is recommended. Its advised not to delay the treatment.

Take care and please keep me informed of your progress at healthcaremagic through my profile directly.
Regards
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Dentist Dr. Bindiya Bhaskar's  Response
Hello,

Thanks for choosing HCM forum.

The white spot may be arised due to-

Tongue biting habit caused by sharp edges of tooth.

Aphthous ulcers arised due to vitamin deficiency.

Poor oral hygiene.

Apply topical steroid on the affected area.

Floss your tongue with tongue scrapers.

Take plenty of fluids and nutritious diet.

Take care.
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Dentist Dr. Indu Thakur's  Response
hi thanks for posting your query, nothing to worry , check whether the colour of the spot is little bit yellowish in colour ? it might be normal condition . nothing to worry. if its causing concern vist a oral surgeon for this
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White Head Spot On Posterior Lateral Tongue. Painless. What Could It Be?

Hi, Thanks for posting the query, There are various causes of whitish coating on the tongue surface like Leukoplakia , which develops when the tongue is irritated with tobacco , Oral Thrush or Candidiasis , develops due to yeast infection . Geographic tongue and LIchen planus . In our case it may be a coating that is built up by dead skin cells as wel as remnants of food. If you are ill coating may also be caused by mucus build up cells. Clean the tongue with a tongue cleaner Drink plenty of water . Concern to Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon and get checkup done . Hope this helps out. Regards.....