What causes spots on the tongue? Get more insights on the causes of black, white, brown or painful spots on the tongue. There are also pictures to give you a clear view of this type of tongue problem.
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The tongue is one of the most vital organs in the body due to its role. Made of several muscles that define its multifunctional characteristic. We use the tongue in testing food, swallowing, and is also talking. The tongue is normally pink in color with small nodules biologically termed as papillae.
Due to constant use and exposure of the tongue to various conditions, it is normal to experience tongue problems such as bumps, spots, discoloration, blisters, ulcers, cracks, and soreness. The majority of these problems are not related to serious medical conditions except for a few cases where symptoms can associate with serious diseases such as cancer or AIDS.
Spots on Tongue – Meaning
This is a condition where the tongue develops a coating or small dots either on the entire surface or on the sides. The spots can vary in color ranging from white, black, or brown. It can also be characterized by discolored or painful tongue among other symptoms. There are various factors that can lead to such a problem with the tongue as discussed in the article.
Causes of Spots on Tongue – What causes these spots?
A healthy human tongue should be pink in color. This organ can change to black, white, brown, red, or strawberry due to a number of factors. Some of the causes are medical while others are not.
Causes of Back Spots on Tongue
Black spots on the tongue are not really a serious medical condition. The only problem is the ugly appearance that no one can easily withstand. As said, the tongue is naturally covered with papillae that grow like any other body organ. They tend to increase in size and age as people live.
These structures however increase in length and begin to appear in a hair-like manner. At such a point they begin harboring materials that attract and sustain bacteria. When these bacteria grow and increase in number, they appear black or dark hence tarnishing your tongue.
Causes Red Spots Tongue
Your pink tongue can change to a red, strawberry, or brown appearance either in as a whole or in patches and dots. In rare cases, such symptoms are associated with pain discomfort and it may become difficult to notice. However, here are a number of possible causes of this problem.
- Lack of Vitamins. When the body is in deficiency of essential vitamins such as Vitamin B-12 and folic acid, the tongue will be the immediate organ to get affected. This is implicated by the changing of the tongue color to reddish, strawberry, or brown. Intake of food substances rich with these elements is the best way of preventing and getting rid of the problem.
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- Geographic tongue condition. This is the formation of a map-like pattern of red patches on the tongue. It can also include white separation of the patches on the surface of the tongue. The condition is not harmful and symptoms normally last up to 2 weeks. Geographic tongue can imply a serious problem when the appearance does not subside to thorough mouth cleaning and care and therefore need to see your doctor for treatment.
- Scarlet fever. One of the major symptoms so this type of fever is the reddening of the tongue. It also associates other symptoms such as variation in body temperature and general body pain. Most treatment involves the prescription of antibiotics. Visit your doctor for further treatment when symptoms persist.
- Kawasaki syndrome. The ailment is common among children below the age of five years. The diseases affect the blood supply and vessels in the body causing a brown or red tongue appearance. The syndrome is associated with other symptoms such as high fever, swelling of the hand, and redness in the feet. Consult a doctor for the treatment of Kawasaki syndrome.
White tongue picture
Causes of White Spots on Tongue
A white coating or spots on the tongue can be annoying. Most of the spots on the tongue of this nature are medical-related conditions. Therefore you should take relevant medical moves when you realize that you have a white tongue. Here are the main causes of this problem:
Leukoplakia: This is a condition characterized by excessive growth of cells in the mouth. Since the tongue is one of the underlying organs it also gets affected. Major symptoms are the formation of white patches inside the mouth lining and on the tongue surface. This is a serious medical condition that can lead to mouth and tongue cancer.
The majority of the victims of this condition are tobacco smokers. The constant irritation of the mouth and tongue can also lead to leukoplakia. Therefore see a doctor or a dentist for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible until you realize the symptoms.
Candidiasis: This is a fungal or yeast infection that forms in the mouth. It is also termed as oral thrush. It is featured by the formation of white patches in the mouth and on the tongue surface. Young children and elderly people are highly susceptible to this infection through the weakened immune system is a risk factor among other people.
Other possible causes of candidiasis are the continuous use of antibiotics and steroids which affects the growth of the normal mouth bacteria. Seek medication for the treatment of candidiasis since it can also be spread through body fluid contact mechanisms.
Oral lichen planus: This is a mouth condition characterized by the formation of white lines on the tongue. It is medically certified as one of the causes of spots on the tongue. It is mainly due to excessive tobacco use and constant irritation of the mouth. Patients are recommended to adhere to proper dental hygiene habits. If symptoms persist then you ought to seek medical advice.
How to Get Rid of Spots on Tongue ?– Fix, Reduce, Treat and Cure
- Mouth hygiene is one of the best ways to fix tongue problems. Recommended mouth wash should be gaggled for at least 2 to 3 times a day. This helps in curbing the infection or the bacteria from spreading to the rest of the mouth. A suitable mouth wash that has the ability to kill the responsible bacteria is the best to use.
- Spots that are associated with pain can be managed by the application of milk of magnesia. Use a clean soft cotton ball and apply it to the affected area.
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- Eat a balanced diet with more vitamin B-12 and folic acid. The diet should consist of fruits and vegetables.
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- Reduce the consumption of tobacco and well as minimizing smoking. Tobacco is one of the major causes of spots in the mouth and especially on the tongue.
- Drink a sufficient amount of water. Water not only keeps the human body hydrated but also helps in washing out toxins.
- Spicy and fatty foods can contribute to irritation of the mouth and the attraction of bacteria. Minimize or avoid consumption of such food material.
- Apply a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide on the white spots at least three times a day using a clean cotton ball.
- Wash your mouth and brush your teeth after every meal to limit the materials that can attract and harbor bacteria in your mouth.
- Frequently visit a dentist to examine your mouth and recommend treatment for any spots on the tongue.
Brown spots on the tongue
Spots on Tongue
In many cases, people take time to realize that something is wrong with the tongue. This is because the common tongue problems are not associated with pain. While brushing your teeth, it is very necessary to take a look at your tongue. Some of the products used in the cleaning of the mouth and teeth can also cause tongue complications.
There are various pictures of different spots and patches on the tongue and they can help you relate the nature of your tongue. They can also show you the color and nature of a healthy tongue compared to the infected one.
In conclusion, therefore, Spots on the tongue can be a sign of a serious medical condition. When you realize that symptoms persist regardless of applying the above-discussed mechanisms on how to get rid of spots on the tongue, consult your doctor for further examination and treatment.