If you have recently noticed that your tongue has developed a white patch, you might feel alarmed and wonder what caused it. White spots on the tongue can have various causes and are frequently harmless.
However, it is important to figure out why it has developed and if you need to see our dentist in Bowmanville. It is especially important to see a dental professional if the white spot or patch persists beyond a couple of weeks. The most common causes are oral thrush, canker sores, and leukoplakia.
Oral Thrush
If you have a weakened immune system or recently completed a course of antibiotics, there is a chance that your white patch could be an oral thrush in Newcastle. Smoking or wearing dentures are other risk factors. It also tends to affect the very young or the very old. It is caused by a fungus called candida that has begun to overgrow. Oral thrush is not serious, but you might need anti-fungal medication to get rid of it.
Canker Sores
Canker sores are common, and one way to tell if you have one is to look carefully at the white spot on your tongue. If it has a red edge around it, it’s probably a canker sore.
You can develop a single canker sore, or they can appear in groups and are often painful. Allergies, stress, or acidic foods can trigger canker sores. Using toothpaste containing sodium laurel sulfate can also be a factor. Usually, canker sores in Clarington will clear up without treatment and are not contagious.
However, if your canker sore becomes painful and fails to heal quickly, come and see us at West Bowmanville Family Dental. We can assess the sore and provide suitable treatment to help your mouth feel more comfortable. Treatment may include topical gel, cauterizing the sore, prescribing antibiotics, or a mouth rinse.
Leukoplakia
This condition causes white or grey colour patches to develop on your tongue. They can also develop in other areas like inside your cheeks, gums or the floor of your mouth.
People who smoke, use chewing tobacco or drink alcohol excessively are more at risk of developing leukoplakia. Quitting these habits can help clear up this condition. However, it is worth seeing us if you are concerned you have leukoplakia, especially if it hasn’t cleared up within a couple of weeks.
There is a small risk that leukoplakia could be a precursor for oral cancer, so it’s important to get it assessed and treated properly. If the patches fail to clear up on their own, removing them with cryotherapy, laser dentistry, or other treatments may be necessary.
Preventive Dentistry Can Help
Taking good care of your mouth can help prevent problems like white patches on your tongue. Ensure you brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Even so, most people will develop a white patch on the tongue or somewhere else in their mouth sometime during their lifetime.
When to Come and See Us
As a general rule, if you have a white spot or sore patch on your tongue or anywhere else in your mouth that fails to clear up within two weeks, contact our dental office for further help and advice. It’s always best to seek professional dental care to get a proper diagnosis and ensure the problem isn’t a sign of something more serious.
A dental checkup in Courtice can help put your mind at ease and ensure you get prompt treatment for any potential problem.
