White fleshy staff on the side of my tongue

[tigoana]

Hi,
Just noticed yesterday a small white growth on the side but towards the front of my tongue. It appears like small pingpoles on the side of my tongue and is painfulf if touched. How can I tell if this is not cancerous.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

You're welcome.  Hope everything turns out good!

[tigoana]

Thanks very much for your quick response.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Its possible that it could be a reaction to drugs or food poisoning.  Without seeing it, its a little hard to say.  You can observe it yourself for a few days and see if it heals up and the pain lessens.  If it worsens or the lesion grows larger, I would recommend seeing a dentist right away.  Usually with cancer in the mouth, its not painful.  Sometimes it is though. If you have any high risk activities such as smoking or frequent alcohol consumption, I would get it checked sooner than later.

[tigoana]

The whilte fleshy growth appears to be a overgrowth of papillae. Could it be reaction of the papillae to drugs or food poisoning. I noticed it when I checked my tongue for the tingling and sensational feeling and numbness I have due to fish poisoning. Grateful if you could help again.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

If there is no history of trauma (such as biting your tongue on accident), the best thing to do is to see your dentist or oral surgeon for them to perform a biopsy.