What's going on with my tongue?

[Kimmy827]

I've had these abnormal spots at the back of my tongue in little clusters that look like inflamed taste buds. They are raised and they are the same color as the rest of my tongue. They are larger than the rest of the taste buds that are at the back of my tongue. Some of them are larger than others, but they do not affect the taste buds towards the center.They aren't itchy or smelly or anything. They are simply there and haven't really improved or digressed since they appeared on my tongue approximately four months ago. I've tried using  hydrogen peroxide, mouthwash with the peroxide, and an old remedy (gargling with warm salt water). None of these mothods have impacted my tongue. The condition did not seem to be digressing until today when I noticed tiny black spots on the sides and in the middle of my tongue. I also noticed that there are black streaks at the very back of my tongue on the sides right next to the raised taste buds. It now looks like there is scar tissue or something back there because certain areas are becoming darker than the rest of my tongue. When I just started using the peroxide (I have now discontinued use) I noticed that the blisters /raised taste buds seemed to be stripping off, but they are still there now. Ironically, this condition does not make eating uncomfortable and does not seem to affect the rest of my taste buds because my ability to taste has not been impaired. Please, tell me if this could be oral cancer, or what kind of bacterial infection could cause this condition.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

You're welcomed.  

As for bacterial infections that don't itch, smell or hurt?  I suppose if you have a low grade infection, it may never develop any significant symptoms.  Additionally, you can also get a viral infection in the mouth as well.  Unfortunately, the mouth isn't exempt from any other normal infection that you can imagine in the rest of the body.  Sometimes you can also get a fungal infection.  That's why its pretty tough to pinpoint it out.  I hope everything turns out good.  

[Kimmy827]

The black spots went away. It seems that they appeared simply as a result of blueberries that I'd eaten earlier that day. But the other inflamatoins remain. As I said before there is still no odor, pain, etc. Also the clusters at the back of my tongue seem to be getting lighter than the rest of my tongue, not significantly, just a lighter shade of pink.  Also, Are there any bacterial infections, that do not itch, smell, or hurt? I will be making an appointment this week to see my doctor.Thank you for your advice it was very helpful.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I would advise you to go see our dentist for an evaluation of your situation. It doesn't sound like oral cancer but without a biopsy and further evaluation, you can't rule it out.  Usually with bacterial infections, there would be other symptoms such as inflammation, pain, bad odor, etc.  Since you don't seem to have any other symptoms, it may not be a bacterial infection.  You just need your dentist to see and determine whats going on.