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Soft white wart-like bump under my tongue



A couple of days ago I noticed what felt like a flap of skin underneath my tongue. I tongued it for a day or two and then finally looked at it in the mirror and it was a small growth which is whiter on top. It's closer to the bottom of my mouth than to the frenilum (or whatever that muscle is that connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth), but its still on the muscle. I can't help tonguing it, which may be irritating it.

I tried to take a picture but my camera couldn't really capture it. It's raised probably 1 or 2 mm, and it's not particularly hard. Can you get canker sores on your sublingual? It isn't painful per se, I can feel its presence but when I tongue it, it doesn't hurt. What bothers me is that it's raised, I can move it back and forth, and almost looks like a tongue-colored/textured skin tag of sorts.

Any ideas on what this is?

PS: I'm a light smoker and relatively heavy drinker (I'm a college student.)

Thanks
32 Responses
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Avatar universal
I popped mine with a pin and pus came out. Used mouthwash to disinfect it afterwards. So far so good now.
I drink and smoke too
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Avatar universal
I also took out my tongue piercing and it's probably just the scar from it I have the same thing but mine isn't really a flap it's smaller and just raised a little so I don't think you have anything to worry about:)
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Avatar universal
Did you ever find out what It was ?
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Avatar universal
Notice the recurring mentions. Smoking and drinking... So im smoking "bud nothing unsual,  heavy smoker. And i meet this chick and she smokes meth,  so she hits her pipe and passes me her smoke... Did this several times. I also had sex with her and ate my chicks booty n snatch.next day i awoke to soreness under my tounge on the flap,  it looks like whitish chuncks of flesh,  sensitive to the touch and when i move especially lift my tongue it hurts. Many variables
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Avatar universal
Notice the recurring mentions. Smoking and drinking... So im smoking "bud nothing unsual,  heavy smoker. And i meet this chick and she smokes meth,  so she hits her pipe and passes me her smoke... Did this several times. I also had sex with her and ate my chicks booty n snatch.next day i awoke to soreness under my tounge on the flap,  it looks like whitish chuncks of flesh,  sensitive to the touch and when i move especially lift my tongue it hurts. Many variables
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same thing. I describe it as like a little skin bubble. I've asked my doctor and he didn't seem to think it mattered at all. For me I take a pin I poke a hole in it and it goes away for a while. Sometimes only for a couple days sometimes for months. It's been recurring for years. Very irritating but that's all. Hope that calms some of you (assuming we have the same thing)
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1 Comments
I have this thing to on base of my tongue but it's burn like hell ...it's likely 3months iam having it and had almost 7 to 8 visits done with ent and dentist ...dentist said that snoring at night is the cause of this thing and make a tooth guard for its healing but didn't help..then went to an ent suggested by my general physician ent doc said that it's minor ulceration will be healed in 5days hope so I had take betnasol tablet for 5days it usually gone as I see but when I touch it by my tongue tip I feel bump but when after five day the bump or bubble came back agaim as it was...then I went again to ent doc He said it's not an ulcer it's just a little swelling nothing to worry about it if it stay forever it's OK don't take any tension of it and he gave me some pain killer medications now still iam worried why this thing is not going to clear I have done all what I have to do on it but still nothing happens...
Avatar universal
if they are relatively small and clear or white in colour its most likely a canker sore. Anyone can get them; usually caused by irritants like citrus, soda, chemicals from medicine; most people get them if they are sick and smokers get them more often (i'm a smoker). It usually go away on it's own, if it hurts take aspirin and drink only water or tea!
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Avatar universal
Just visited the dentist today with the same issue:  white bumps under the tongue, not very painful, but irritating.  My whole mouth is sensitive to hot and cold and I just finished a round of antibiotics for an infected tooth.

My dentist gave me a referral to see an oral surgeon if the bumps last longer than a week.  If they subside, then it's likely attributable to one of the causes listed above (infection, etc).  If the bumps are still active after a week, I'm heading to the oral surgeon for a biopsy.  White marks under the tongue can be a marker for oral cancer, so don't take them lightly.  Praying for all of you, God's blessings to all.
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Avatar universal
Its probably a canker sore, i have had the same thing and im a light smoker and sometimes drinker. i also have my tongue pierced, which at first i was thinking that the bar was too sort for my tongue but that wasnt the case. Herpes does not hurt usually, Canker sores hurt like a ***** i have to say.. Theres not much you can do for it then not to play with it, or bite down on it. Mine hurt to where i couldnt talk for about 2 days but then the pain went away. I am a RN, certified nurse. If any more questions please feel free to comment/
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Avatar universal
I have the same thing under toungue and it's frustrating. I had it yesterday but it went away after I played with it for a long time then it felt like I had a rush of saliva come into my mouth. But for some reason I can't get rid of it today some please have some good news for me!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I get these under my tongue sometimes. They are small, white, slightly irritating bumps very close to the bottom of my tongue and very close to the back. I have to push my tongue out as far as i can to see them. I normally only get one, never more than two. They are not painful, but feel rather sore. I find that it occurs mostly around a time in which I consume heavy to moderately heavy amounts of dairy, sugar, or cigarette's. Most likely it is just an irritated spot or some sort of chafing. I just leave them alone, messing with them normally makes them worse. They usually go away after a week or two and I don't get them very often. I never saw them as a cause for panic. If they last more than two to three weeks, I would consult a professional of some sort. Also, it could be caused by HSV. HSV can be set off by numerous things, and irritation from smoking can surface it. HSV is hereditary. I hope this help's.
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Avatar universal
Its a swollen salivary gland.  Can be caused by an infection.
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Avatar universal
plica fimbriata

Found on wikipedia. I guess it's normal, but rare, to have the little pair of flaps on the bottom of your tongue. Just try not to irritate them.
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Avatar universal
i still also have the same problem i can pull mine too i can feel it there it feels kind of tingly, i have seen the dentist since having it and they didnt mention a word i think im going to mention it to my dr next time i go, im pretty sure mine stemed from a tongue piercing and possible infection from that.... however have had meds and no longer have the piercing and its over a year its been there :( it feels kind of uncomfortable tbh
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Avatar universal
I am having the same problem did you find any answer?
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Avatar universal
I just noticed this morning when i was brushing my teeth that i have these tongue colored (pinkish red) skin tags under my tongue, i can pull at them (sorry, i know that is gross) they don't hurt, but the little ball on the roof of my mouth between the two front teeth hurts. (feels like i've been eating captin crunch cereal, raw feeling) but i've been freaking out ALL day long, wondering what it is, if i caught some kinda std in my mouth or have some kinda cancer...i smoke a pack a day. so i've been reading alot about it, first thing i found was either cancer or hpv, which isn't the end of the world, but i'm soooo freaking out and feel like a disgusting person because i have this nasty *** groth in my mouth, i wanna go buy a few new tooth brush's just in case mine is too old, b/c i've heard that if you've had your tooth brush for too long it can cause a yeast infection in your mouth, which this is nothing like a yeast infection, but if you can catch that from an old tooth brush, then who knows what else you can get. i'm just gonna try to see if it goes away or gets better after trying a few things at home first. i'm going to way two weeks and see what happens. i also grind my teeth at night, have tmj, and a when i was young i used to have a lisp, which means you hold your tongue at the roof of your mouth when usually you would hold your tongue on the bottom, but even though i don't have a lisp anymore, i still hold my tongue at the top of my mouth, also the other morning the tip of my tongue was hurting like i bit it in my sleep, which wouldn't be surprising because i grind my teeth really bad sometimes, so i'm hopeing and praying that i just injured my tongue while i was asleep.  i just don't know what to think, i don't know if i should go to the gyno or the dentist or my family dr. i'm just scaring the hell outta myself at this point. and mine has no whiteness on it, its the same color as my tongue, and there are like three or four of them. I tried to pull at one, and if i pulled it off, it would be very painful, as if it's an extension of my tongue now. please help anyone??
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Avatar universal
I Have One Under My Tongue But Dont know Where Its Coming from .. My Mom Said I Have  to The Dentist . Ps Mine dont Hurt Or Nothing And It Near The tip of My Tongue Someone help please
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Avatar universal
OMGG. Im 15 and ive got two on my tongue right now. I can hardly speak.. Cann someone please help mee. It hurts. I wanna cryy. :- [
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Avatar universal
Canker Sores
Canker sores are some of the most common causes of white bumps under tongue. These sores are also known as mouth ulcers. Canker sores most commonly appear due to a viral infection that can be caused by the growth of bacteria and other forms of viruses in the body. Incidentally, an overload of thrush on tongue or mouth can also be responsible for this because thrush causes an attack of bacteria and other viruses. One other reason that can lead to the development and growth of canker sores is a deficiency of vitamins and other nutrients in the body.

Solution
This problem can thus be handled by applying oral creams to tackle the infection as well as certain medication forms that tackle this problem. Other than that, taking care of the thrush by applying oral thrush home remedies can also be looked into. One very effective solution is that of including yogurt in your diet and especially using it above your tongue surface to lower the thrush and bacteria. Taking supplements for the deficiency is another way by which the canker sores can be dealt with effectively well.

Oral Lichen Planus
This is another form of oral inflammation that can lead to white spots on tongue or under it and can be caused due to several reasons that run into a hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection, allergens from foods and other materials, flu vaccines, high blood pressure, arthritis, certain heart diseases as well as habits like biting the cheeks and tongue.

Solution
The best way to control and prevent this infection is to maintain high standards of oral hygiene by brushing your teeth daily and using a mouth wash to get rid of all the germs. The other conditions can be treated by targeting the individual symptoms and disorders. Similarly, smoking can complicate and further worsen the painful white bump on tongue and under it, making it more painful and sometimes causing it to fill with pus and liquid. Other than that, make sure that you do not chew on the sides of the mouth and cheeks and cause these to appear more often.

Mucocele Growth
A mucocele growth occurs when there is a leak or split in the salivary glands thus causing the saliva to leak and gather in a white air sac under the tongue, that may sometimes be painful. These bumps on tongue that hurt can also be formed under it.

Solution
Even though the body tries to correct this ailment by itself, sometimes the duct may continue to leak and therefore not be corrected by itself. In such a case, a surgery is often required to correct the damage in the salivary gland and restore it to normal.

Cancer
Sometimes the white bump under tongue or any other bump on tongue (for that matter) can sometimes be an indication of a very serious ailment like tongue cancer.

Solution
Visiting a doctor and getting a thorough check up done becomes imperative if you suspect cancer.

It's not just the fear of cancer due to the white bump under tongue that should have you visit a doctor immediately. If you notice that the white bump(s) are not getting cured even after following all the methods of precaution or solutions, or that the bump gets cured only to keep recurring, then it could be an indication of a serious condition and should be tackled well enough. Do not ignore that white bump under tongue and go get a check up done as soon as possible.

By Rujuta Borkar
Published: 2/22/2011
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
also i recently read a story about a young girl who had a bump on her tongue she left it and over time it got bigger and bigger it turned out to be cancer of the mouth... I suggest people visit their doctor to put minds at rest and to resolve the bumps / flaps :)
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Avatar universal
hi all i have a similar thing on the underside of my tongue, i can feel it all the time however it doesnt hurt... its like a flap of skin a few MM's long.   Its white ish towards the tip of the flap.  Oddest thing is mine has only come along after having my tongue pierced.  I took it out because the tongue got infected then was left with this ?? I was put on antibiotics when i had the tongue infection, but this still stayed.   Im going to see my dr next week to see if they can tell me anything further, if i twisted it or fiddle it starts to feel odd it also now feels horrible if i kiss my partner....

hating it :((((
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1632125 tn?1299863788
I am a 51 year old male and also have this lump type thing under my tungue.can't be a wart,never never ever had one before and not sure what it is but it does bother me and just gets in the way. I think it's a strained mucle. not sure !! wish someone had an answer. I have been gargling with salt water
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1569110 tn?1295536531
I just got the same thing like three days ago. I am going to the doctor today. I take medicine that has to dissolve under my tounge and it hurts when I take it so thats a big problem! But mine is not wart like, the two little I guess flaps were swollen and now r turning white. When I get back from the doc I will post what the out come was.
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1153628 tn?1262144438
is it cancer or some disease has anyone went to doctor if so what did they say???
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
if increases in size at an unnatural rate it may or may not be cancerous
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