White Patches on Tongue Causes, Pictures (Side, Back & Under Tongue)

White patches on tongue can be harmless, but they could also indicate symptoms of certain diseases. Below, we discuss the causes of white patches on tongue, with signs such as painful patches, white spots on side of tongue and patch under and on side of tongue. Pictures of white coating on tongue of baby included.

• What Causes White Patches on Tongue?
• Why do I have white patches on tongue and sore throat?
• White patches on tongue that come and go
• White patches on side and back of tongue
• What are the treatments of white patches on the tongue?
  

  

Having white spots on tongue is generally said to be of no harm at all. Your doctor might recommend drinking a lot of water because the dots and patches on your tongue may be caused by dehydration. However, there could be more to it than just the lack of enough water in the body.

When the little white dots on your tongue tend to grow bigger and soon into a white consistent or inconsistent coating on tongue, or what you may see as a white patch on your tongue, then this is likely to indicate an underlying organic disease or illness that should be addressed. Below, we will look at the different symptom manifestations of white patches on the tongue and cheeks, and further look at the causes and treatments or best remedies. First, what causes white patches on the tongue?

What Causes White Patches on the Tongue

Various diagnoses are manifested with white spots and dots on the tongue. Some people show symptoms such as white patches on their tongues. So, what causes white patches on the tongue? Here is a list of the causes of the white patches on the strongest muscle on the human body.

• Oral thrush – This is also called candida or candidiasis, which is identified as a yeast infection that grows in the mouth, causing white coating on the tongue. The tongue ends up with one or a few white patches that look like cottage cheese in terms of their consistency.
• Diabetes – Most people suffering from diabetes, and those who suffer from asthma and inhale steroids as a form of medication for the lung disease may also show symptoms of white patches on their tongues.
• Leukoplakia causes white coating on tongue – When the cells in a person’s mouth grow excessively fast, the condition is called leukoplakia. This is what causes white patches on tongue and other parts of the mouth.
• Syphilis infection – Syphilis is a STD and that is why most people consider white patches on tongue an STD. If contracted due to having oral sex, syphilis may cause small white dots on tongue that are not painful. These can spread into white dots on lips. When the dots are left untreated, they may end up causing syphilitic leukoplakia, which are white plaques on the tongue.
• Dehydration is also associated with white patching on the tongue
• Dry mouth may also cause white spots on the tongue
• Smoking
• Fever
• Geographic tongue condition
• Some medications
• Smoking and…
• Oral lichen planus, a severe autoimmune disorder that may also cause white patches on one’s tongue.

Well, now you know the reason behind the problem, but how do you identify it? You definitely need an accurate diagnosis by your doctor to identify the problem causing the white patches on tongue and cheeks. Below, we discuss white patches on tongue pictures to help you with the identification process. Note that our pictures do not replace a medical diagnosis by a physician. See a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

White Patches on Tongue Pictures

Pictures help identify many infections that show physical symptoms, such as the white dots and white spots on the tongue. Although the conditions may differ, it is easy to identify the discomfort in the mouth when you suffer from any of the causes discussed above. Pictures of white patching on tongue are clear to distinguish between a dangerous problem and a harmless one.

• From most photos of white areas on tongue, the patches are consistent and cover an area completely, leaving the other part of the tongue without any patches or dots.
• For other people with the problem, the pictures may show slightly different symptoms, such as white dots on tongue pictures.
• You may also have a look at pictures of shiny white dots on the tongue and mouth. They all indicate the same problem.
• Some patches spread on other parts of the mouth, so you will have white patches on mouth, cheeks tongue, and dots on throat.

All these depict various symptoms, but some pictures show slightly different situations such as white patches under tongue, white patches on side of tongue and toddlers having white patches on their tongues. Let’s look at each of these different signs carefully.

White Patches under Tongue

The under side of the tongue may exhibit the symptoms of patching and coating.  According to WikiAnswers, this “could be a complication of AIDS.” However, there are many causes of white coating under the tongue. Some of them may be benign and may not require any treatment – meaning that they will go way on their own.

Experts say that “…a few require a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis as they can be potentially dangerous and even if they look harmless may not be!” [HealthTap]. Therefore, if you have been having the white patch coating under your eyes for more than 2 weeks, see a dentist for a diagnosis. Any of the causes listed above may be a cause of the dots and coating.

White Patch on Side of Tongue

Are white patches on side of tongue cancer? I have a painful white patch on side of tongue, should I see a doctor? Is the side of tongue patch an STD? These are the common questions that we ask when we have white dots and spots on the side of the tongue. But what is this sign and symptom for?

A general practitioner may rule that the white patches on tongue that come and go are caused by leukoplakia as seen in the causes above, but it is important that you get a biopsy first because some of these coatings, dots and patches may come and go.

Whether the patch on side of tongue is small or large does not mean it is cancer on your tongue, neither does it signify being benign. It could be just as dangerous as you can expect. Your doctor will diagnose and administer treatment appropriate to the diagnosis results.

Trauma may be one of the causes of intraoral white patches that may appear on the tongue, but care must be taken especially when it is believed that immunologic conditions, malignant and benign tumors are the cause of the patches and spots on side of tongue.

White Patches on Back of Tongue

According to doctors on HealthTap, any lumps or white patches on back of tongue could be precancerous. However, some people get this symptom when they have a sore throat. Geographic tongue, papillitis and yeast infection are some of the common cause of the coating on the back of tongue.

It is best to have your oral cavity examined by a specialist doctor before concluding on any cause, symptom and treatments to get rid of white spots on back of tongue. Therefore, I would advise you to book an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

White Patches on Baby Tongue (Toddler)

Toddlers or babies who breastfeed may also show symptoms of white spots and dots on their tongues. White patches on baby tongue is commonly oral thrush, a fungal infection that spreads in the mouth and can form white dots or patches on lips, in cheeks and may even spread into the baby’s throat.

If the baby is breastfeeding, it could also mean that milk residue remains on the tongue of the baby. In such as case, “gently touch a patch with a clean finger. If it easily rubs away, it’s probably just milk residue.” [BabyCenter]

If you suspect that your toddler is suffering from oral thrush because of the white spots on gums, tongue and mouth, see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

How to Get Rid of White Spots on Tongue

How to get rid of white patches on tongue is all your doctor’s affair. Some people prefer removing the patches with their hands or using a q-tip, but it is important to see a physician to help you get rid of the white spots on the tongue. But what ways can one use to get rid of white spots on the tongue? Here are some of the commonly recommended remedies:

• Avoid dehydration because it may cause your tongue to have the white lesions. Drink enough water everyday to prevent the white substance from coating your tongue all the time.
• Some physicians administer folic acid tablets, vitamin C and iron tablets or vitamin becosules as a treatment for white patches on the tongue.
• Limit the intake of salty and spicy foods to get rid of white coating on tongue.
• Maintain good oral hygiene. This will prevent the problem.
• Anti-fungal treatments are good for getting rid of the coating and lesions on the tongue because they will get rid of the candidiasis yeast that causes it.

Do not go for any over the counter treatments to get rid of white patches on your tongue. These could be dangerous or ineffective. The best solution is to get treatment as prescribed by your dentist or general practitioner.