What causes small white bumps on the surface of the tongue and welts on the back of the tongue?

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Yeast infection

Most common cause is a yeast infection called thrush. There are other two other possibilities: 1. they may represent a variant of herpes infection of the oral cavity. Usually, these are on the oral mucosa not the tongue but a trial of acylovir or something equivalent wouldn't be a big deal. If they improve rapidly you have your answer. 2. they may represent an oral ulcer from a systemic inflammatory or autoimmune disease. These would include lupus, Behcets, etc. and would require an internist or rheumatologist to check this out.

Explanations from other WikiAnswers Contributors:

• I was recently in an abstinence class, and they mentioned that a form of STD's brought white bumps to the tongue. If you have also had sores on or around the lips area, even if they are not necessarily painful, I would see your doctor to get an STD test.

• It could be any number of things... However the MOST COMMON cause of this problem is EXPOSED TASTE BUDS! Excessive movement of your tongue scraping your teeth with your tongue, or if you grind your teeth non stop for a day the taste buds can get caught between your teeth, which causes them to pull up and be swollen and exposed this normally only lasts for about a day or two. I used to get them a lot when I was a drug user. Uppers made me constantly flip my tongue around, grind my teeth, clench my teeth, and play with my cheeks and bite the inside of my cheeks which also caused me to end up getting those taste buds in there. Nothing to fret. However! If they don't go away within 4DAYS MAX! go see a doctor, because it can also be a sign of a strain of oral cancer.

• Another cause can be from use of a bronchio-dilator inhaler or nebulizer solution. Albuterol, Levalbuterol, and Bronchio Saline will cause this if you have a breathing problem and use these medications. Albuterol and Levalbuterol are the main ones that will cause this issue, they are steroids and help facilitate bacteria and mold growth which can irritate the sensitive flesh on your tongue(yes im not kidding about the mold). Always wash your mouth and inhaling device out after each use. If you dont use any of those, try the Vitamin B. If all else fails, Listerine and brushing your teeth every chance you get. I had this same problem with a nasty white film on my tongue, i brushed twice a day. I now brush after everything i eat(every 3 hours), problem is gone now. If you are doing what the first answer is doing and simply irritating the taste buds, cuts your nails so they dont scrape the easily ripped taste buds.

• Sounds like thrush; could also be from recent antibiotic use. Mycelex lozenges will help. Meds in pill form (that are swallowed) are not usually effective.

• I heard that small white bumps on the tongue is a lack of Vitamin B. Take some Vitamin B. I seem to get some small white sore spots on my tounge tip, like a few taste buds are white and sore, when I wet my fingers to turn pages of the news paper or a magazine repeatedly. Sincerely ever time. I have no idea why. I showed my dentist them and he said "take Vit B when that happens".

First answer by Lizeth perales. Last edit by Mpathia. Contributor trust: 49 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 351 [recommend question]

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