We never really notice our tongue. But when something happens to it, that’s pretty hard to ignore. This could happen if you get transient lingual papillitis.
What? That’s the fancy name. You may also know it as lie bumps.
If you’re healthy, your tongue should look pink and feel comfortable. However, your tongue can become more textured due to your taste buds if something is going on. You might start to notice that your tongue’s surface gets covered in a pale coating.
Lie bumps look like small swellings that cause discomfort but don’t last for a long time.
Now, the causes of this condition can go from zero to one hundred. It could be due to something as simple as consuming spicy foods, but it can also indicate the presence of more serious illnesses such as cancer.
Don’t panic just yet. Remember, this is just an article, and the last word will come from your dentist or doctor.
Plus, there are various forms of lying bumps, each with its own set of symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options.
Settle in because we’ll go through transient lingual papillitis in detail so you can recognize it before it creates complications and before you jump to any conclusions.
How Can You Know If You Have Transient Lingual Papillitis?
(imagen 1)
Grab a mirror and sit comfortably because you’ll have to examine your mouth very well. On the tongue, you might notice a few red or white swollen bumps. Some people believe they have a pimple-like appearance.
What’s pretty annoying about this condition is that the bumps can hurt even if you aren’t eating or drinking.
You can either start feeling a burning, itching, tingling sensation or have no signs and pain other than the bump itself.
There’s another type of bump, which is called eruptive lingual papillitis. This one can come with other symptoms other than the bumps on your tongue.
You’ll also get the same red or white painful pimples that appear in eruptive lingual papillitis, but this one is thought to be caused by a virus.
This means that it is contagious. It is also more frequent in children, and unlike transient lingual papillitis, it comes with enlarged glands and fevers.
Instead of a few days, it could last up to two weeks.
Who Is More Likely To Get Transient Lingual Papillitis?
(imagen 2)
Over half of the population can get the classic form of transient lingual papillitis.
However, it does seem to be more common among young women. It might be because women have more taste pores than men, but overall it can affect people of all ages.
Usually, local irritation or damage to a fungiform papilla is the most common cause of temporary lingual papillitis.
Stress, hormone fluctuations, gastrointestinal problems, and specific foods are all good causes of this condition.
Young children and adults are most vulnerable to getting this condition in the spring, but it can happen at any time of year.
Also, it is common in children because they tend to be exposed to other children at school or kindergarten, hence why it’s so easy for the virus to spread and affect as many as possible.
An important note is that there are COVID-19 patients who have developed transient lingual papillitis.
7 More Causes of Lie Bumps
The causes of lie bumps are all over the place, but several factors have been linked to it and are worth looking out for.
Cold sores
(imagen 3)
The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes cold sores, which can spread to others via kissing or sharing objects such as cutlery, lipsticks, towels, and so on.
HSV is a virus that causes transitory lingual papillitis, producing lie bumps on both sides of the tongue.
Virus
(imagen 4)
COVID-19 is one of several viruses that can cause transitory lingual papillitis. This can cause swollen, sore, or unpleasant lie lumps on the sides of your tongue. Within two weeks, the lumps will usually disappear.
Allergies
(imagen 5)
Food allergies can also cause small lumps on the tongue. So be careful with certain foods and visit your doctor to get further treatment to help you stay safe.
Medical conditions
(imagen 6)
A variety of medical disorders can cause lie bumps. Carcinomas (a type of cancer that starts in the skin or tissues that line or cover internal organs.) might cause lumps under your tongue or on its surface, which may be temporary lingual papillitis.
If this is the case, the bumps won’t easily go away after two weeks. Get a biopsy as soon as possible to see if there’s any presence of cancer.
Spicy foods
(imagen 7)
Spicy and acidic foods are likely to create lie bumps because their spice levels or acidity irritate the tongue. If you’re a lover of hot Cheetos and hot sauce, have in mind that these irritant foods can cause bumps on your tongue.
Hurting your tongue
((imagen 8)
The prolonged irritation created by biting or burning your tongue with hot foods or drinks may also cause lie bumps, just like spicy foods.
Biting your tongue can make it swell, which can lead to more bites and increased tooth sensitivity.
How Does Your Dentist Diagnose Transient Lingual Papillitis?
The good news is that the majority of lie bumps don’t require medical attention. Still, if you need to see your Clairemont dentist, they will most likely diagnose them by doing an initial inspection of the region.
In some cases, you’ll also need to get a biopsy to adequately diagnose you. The biopsy would entail the removal of all or part of the lump, followed by a clinical assessment.
How Can You Prevent Lie Bumps?
Since most lying bumps don’t have a clear origin, there aren’t any specific techniques to avoid them.
Poor oral hygiene can contribute to transient lingual papillitis; thus, brushing and flossing more frequently can protect you a little more.
It would help if you also tried avoiding biting your nails. Though it’s not proven to be a reason for lie bumps, it could help keep as many viruses out of your mouth as possible.
Visit Serena Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Dr. Serena Kurt is the best dentist in San Diego, Clairemont. She has years of expertise and takes a compassive approach with her patients.
With her, your smile will be in reliable hands. She’ll help you find the cause of your lie bumps and design the perfect treatment plan for you with the help of advanced technology.
Call us today to book your first consultation!
Leave a Reply