Mouth Breather

[pistolizer29]

During the day, I breathe alot through my mouth, and at night, I know I breathe almost exclusively this way. I always wake up with a dry mouth and sometimes, a sore throat which subsides later in the day. A month ago I brushed my tongue for the 1st time. A day or so later I noticed what looked like some bumps in the middle of my tongue. Concerned, I've bought a tounge brush and have been brushing once to five times a week.Now it seems that the bumps look more elongated, are harder, and theres more of them. They are towards the back of my tongue. Now I've also seen a few random longer papilliae on the back on either side towards the back. I must have like total 20 or so of these things, varying from small and short to larger and thicker. The more I brush, the more sensitive the area becomes. Also it seems as though there is a red "root" through the middle of them. I've been to THREE walk in clinics and 2 dentists, all have said that its not hairy tongue, but what in gods name else could it be? Needless to say, when one looks up the causes of "hairy tongue" theres some pretty scary results.

I guess my question is - what are these things on my tongue, and could they be caused by the brushing, the mouth breathing, or something more serious?

Any help would be appreciated

[Steven Y Park, MD]

That's a normal part of your tongue called circumvallate papilla. It's a v-shaped row of bumps that form the junction between two parts of embyological development. You should take care of your nasal congestion. An ENT doctor is a good start. He or she can take a look at your tongue as well. Breathing through your nose can also either dry out your mouth or be associated with inflammation from allergies or acid reflux. Any kind of inflammation can make the bumps on your tongue larger.

[pistolizer29]

Thanks for the comment, but I guess I wasn't clear on the area that I'm having the problem with. Its right in the middle of my tongue, my dentist told me that that the circumvallate papilla are further back, and showed me them. They were red and sort of raised but flat. These are more skinny, sharp, moveable, and seem to be increasing in number.

[pistolizer29]

no ideas??