What causes harmless bumps on the tongue?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a very healthy 46-year-old, with the exception of anxiety and a phobia of illness. My friend died of tongue cancer, and I have a fear of this. I have a hygienist check every three months. The last one was two months ago, and I am always told I am doing great. I noticed that when I fully extend my tongue on both sides, there are bumps that go away when I retract my tongue.

You cannot feel any lump or bump when it is retracted. Is this just tongue or muscle structure or something to worry about? I am very upset. I never noticed them, but I have never really examined them before.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

I have seen the image enclosed (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity), and I will give you the exact point of view. Firstly, can you please tell me, for the sake of an exact and correct diagnosis, whether anyone in your family has a history of any cancer? Not only oral, it would be anything. Anything like that at all?

So, without hesitation, please tell me this first. And now the bumps are coming in your way more prominently; that is your main concern, right? Your picture is too zoomed in; you will need to enclose a zoomed-out picture for me to give you a clear diagnosis.

Now coming to the point, while your concerns are valid, not all oral bumps turn out to be serious or precancerous. If you have been noticing these bumps are causing you discomfort persistently for a few days, it would be a sign of oral mucositis, stomatitis, or just another tongue-based infection.

It is good that you are going to the dental hygienist regularly, but they cannot predict the outcomes of any persistent oral lesions.

Do not worry; I will give you the perfect non-surgical remedies that you can safely implement at home. The only concern is that persistent bumps on the tongue can go for a biopsy, so to avert that, I will give you remedies here. Please shed light on what I asked here.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

That is really good, you confirmed to me that there is no family history at all. Then you absolutely do not need to take any stress. Not only about oral cancer, but medical and family history will give you an insight into how your health will be down the line. So you need not worry at all, dear.

Coming to the question, they do not seem to be anatomic or structural bumps, as you put it, even though they may have been existing on your tongue for a long time. They may be rather stress-induced or water-filled mucous structures that are harmless.

You can use Chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day after brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste and clean the tongue surface gently with the back of your toothbrush. Along with this, if you still feel any kind of discomfort or anxiety mentally, you can try applying Evion (vitamin E) 400 mg capsule oil.

You need to puncture the oral Vitamin E and apply it to these parts of the tongue. There will not be a need, however. It is only that I am suggesting it for calming yourself, or if you still feel tense about this issue, because vitamin E orally is anticancerous. So, for you, it would boost your oral immunity.

Follow strict oral hygiene and the tips listed above, and undergo regular checkups from the maxillofacial surgeon. This is because for individuals with anxiety or stress or hormone replacement therapies, side effects will be observed on both the tongue and lips, on oral mucous membranes, or even regressively alter the teeth.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.