Dental and Oral Health (Adults)

Red spots on tongue?

04/28/2008 02:19PM

Question:

I had a problem around a month ago where i had toothache coupled with a really sore throat (only the left side) and some problems with my ear. I was already booked in at the dentist so went along, she examined my mouth i need a filling but she said that was unlikely to be the cause of my other pain as it wasn`t deep enough. However i asked if it could be my wisdom teeth as i was having a little pain from the back of my mouth, she agreed and said yes it could be they were not impacted but my symptoms could be linked to them. I have been waiting for my appointment to get my filling done and over the last week my mouth has been acting up again. I have little red spots (no white on them at all) on the front of my tongue and my mouth seems to feel very dry and sticky. The other symptoms seem to have cleared up except for the occasional ear pain but its very mild. Do you have any idea if these new symptoms are linked to the other symptoms or can it all be explained by my wisdom teeth? I am getting slightly worried as i`ve been diggin online and coming up with all sorts! i do have another dentist appointment later this week. i do smoke 1\2 cigarettes most days.

Answer:

The red spots on the front of the tongue could simply represent normal fungiform papillae. There are different types of papillae (what people call "taste buds") on the top of the tongue. Most of the papillae on the top of the tongue are very fine, small and white (the "filiform" or hair-like papillae), while the fungiform (shaped like little mushrooms) papillae are more red and less numerous.

While the soreness you describe could be caused by your third molars, usually the dentist can see signs of irritation if that is the case. Because she apparently was not impressed by the clinical appearance, something else that would have to be considered would be burning mouth syndrome. This is a sensory neuropathy - a condition in which the nerves that transmit information about pain, taste and/or texture get a little confused and send back incorrect messages to the brain regarding these senses.

More information about burning mouth syndrome can be found at the website http://aaomp.org. Often burning mouth syndrome clears up by itself. Should the problem persist or worsen, then you should ideally see an oral pathologist for evaluation.

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Response by:

Carl M. Allen, DDS, MSD
Professor & Director, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology
Dental Faculty Practice
Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University