White spots on the tongue can be harmless or a symptom of a more serious condition, such as oral cancer.. If you have white spots on your tongue, be sure to consult a doctor.

Diseases in which white spots appear on the tongue.

There are several diseases that can cause white spots on the tongue.. In some cases, there is a white coating covering the entire tongue. Sometimes this white patch is temporary and harmless, but other times it is a side effect of another condition that needs to be treated adequately.. Checking for other side effects may help identify the cause of white spots on the tongue.. The identified cause requires adequate treatment... What do white spots look like on the tongue?

White spots on the tongue will vary depending on the cause of their appearance.. The spots can be quite small, but they can also be large and irregular.. In most cases, white spots on the tongue start on the sides of the tongue and spread to the center of the tongue.. In some cases, white spots can develop into a coating that covers the tongue.. This plaque may continue to grow, becoming quite thick.. Plaque on the tongue can also be stained in different colors (this depends on the food consumed or the bacteria living in it).

Causes of white spots on the tongue.

If white spots appear on your tongue, try to take immediate action to find out the reasons for their appearance.. Below are the possible and common causes of white spots on the tongue. Thrush - is one of the most common causes of white spots or white coating on the tongue.. Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth.. In this case, white spots can spread to the gums, cheeks or corners of the mouth, and not just be present on the tongue..

The resulting thrush patches may resemble cottage cheese and may not be easily scraped off the tongue.. Poor diet and use of antibiotics may increase the risk of developing this condition.. Excessive dryness as the cause of white spots on the tongue. If the mouth becomes excessively dry, white spots may appear on the tongue. These spots are not dangerous, but they are a symptom that the body is dehydrated.. In this case, white spots do not have any volume or fuzzy texture, but they cause a certain inconvenience or dryness to a person..

Lichen planus. The appearance of white spots on the tongue or skin are symptoms of lichen planus. Often this is a characteristic allergic condition in hepatitis C.. This condition is exacerbated by the use of tobacco products.. It is not uncommon for patients who use chewing tobacco to develop more severe tongue patches.. This is also a risk, as lesions due to lichen planus can turn into cancer under the influence of tobacco.. Geographic tongue may be accompanied by the presence of white spots on the tongue. These patches will be white and scaly, similar to skin patches in eczema..

Some doctors believe that these white spots are a manifestation of psoriasis in the mouth, but others believe that this is an allergic reaction in the body.. Oral cancer as the cause of white spots on the tongue. Some oral cancers may appear as white patches in the mouth.. Usually with cancer, white spots appear not only on the tongue, but also on the gums or in the throat.. If a person abuses smoking or alcohol, then he has an increased risk of developing oral cancer.

Men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women. Leukoplakia. Tobacco use can also lead to leukoplakia. These are white patches that appear in the mouth, but mostly on the tongue.. These white patches are often irregular in size and texture and appear fuzzy.. Individuals with a weakened immune system (who have HIV or AIDS) are at higher risk of developing the disease. Plaque on the tongue. If the spots begin to form a white coating on the tongue, then it can be caused by dead skin cells, as well as food debris.. If you are sick, this plaque can also be caused by a buildup of mucus as a result of illness..

Treatment of white spots on the tongue.

The treatment of white spots on the tongue depends on the cause of their appearance.. If white spots appear for the first time, try cleaning your mouth. Do not forget that you need to brush not only your teeth, but also your tongue.. Make sure you drink plenty of water, which clears out all particles in your mouth.. It will also help you stay hydrated, which will help remove tongue stains.. If white spots appear on the tongue, you need to see a doctor. If your tongue hurts, the spots last longer than two weeks, there are other changes in your mouth or tongue (besides the spots), see your doctor.

These spots may be a sign that you are suffering from another disease that will require treatment.. If the white spots on the tongue are due to an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate antibacterial or antifungal treatment.. In addition, your doctor will recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to help prevent these white spots from reappearing..

global science. en.