What Could This White Spot Under My Tongue Be?
Greetings! I’m 32 years old and identify as a trans man, although I’m not sure if that’s particularly relevant here. I occasionally smoke weed, though I’ve been doing it a bit more recently—typically just one puff every few months or possibly a few times a week in the evening. Recently, I started experiencing discomfort in the frenulum area underneath my tongue. Initially, it was just a mild annoyance when I yawned, but as the days went by, the pain intensified (admittedly, I didn't treat my tongue kindly at first, which probably exacerbated the situation). I suspect that I might have slightly torn my frenulum while tackling a rather large sandwich last Thursday. The rough bread certainly scraped my mouth and left my palate feeling tender for a while. A couple of evenings ago, I noticed that the area seemed swollen, prompting me to be more careful, which seemed to help. The following day (yesterday), there was a noticeable improvement, but that’s when a white patch appeared for the first time. Today, the pain has significantly decreased, but the white spot has grown larger. I hadn’t done any saltwater rinses up until now because I don’t have any salt at the moment (I recently moved and, honestly, I’m not a huge fan of salt). I’m hoping this is merely a sign of healing skin, but after some internet searching (I know, not the best idea), I’ve come across information that this resembles Leukoplakia, which is quite concerning. My weed consumption is minimal and very infrequent, just one large puff here and there during the time leading up to this issue. So, I’m now turning to Reddit for some advice, which is probably the second worst thing you can do after googling your symptoms! My plan is to continue with saltwater rinses a few times daily and see a doctor if the situation hasn’t improved in about a week.
Answers (1)
6/25/2025, 4:20:49 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you’re reaching out to understand your symptoms better! A white spot under the tongue, especially given your recent experiences with discomfort and potential irritation, can be concerning but can often be addressed through simple self-care measures. Let’s break it down.
Key Points
- The white spot may be due to irritation or injury to the tissue in your mouth.
- Leukoplakia is one possibility, but many cases of white patches are due to harmless conditions, especially after trauma.
- Keeping the area clean and observing changes is a vital next step.
Explanation
A white patch under the tongue can occur for several reasons, including irritation from food, mild infections, or healing tissue after trauma. Your recent injury from eating a rough sandwich could have caused irritation, leading to inflammation and the subsequent appearance of the white spot you observed.
Leukoplakia typically presents as white patches that cannot be scraped off and can sometimes indicate more serious issues, particularly in smokers and those who use tobacco. However, in your case, given the context of recent irritation and improvements in pain, it might simply be a response to the irritation rather than a serious condition.
Next Steps
-
Saltwater Rinses: Even though you’re not a fan of salt, a simple solution of warm water and salt can promote healing. If you obtain salt, try rinsing with this mixture 2-3 times daily. If you don't have salt, rinsing with plain water can also help keep the area clean.
-
Avoid Irritants: While the discomfort persists, try to avoid irritating foods (like rough bread) or substances (like tobacco) that might exacerbate the area.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on the spot over the next few days. If it starts to reduce in size and further discomfort diminishes, that’s a good sign of healing. However, if you notice:
- The white spot growing larger or not improving in a week,
- Bleeding,
- Severe pain,
- Or symptoms like difficulty swallowing,
This would be an indication to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
-
Hydration: Stay hydrated; this can help your overall oral health and support healing.
Reassurance
It's understandable to feel worried, especially with the information you found online. Remember that many oral conditions are benign, especially after trauma. Make sure to observe how your symptoms progress, and don’t hesitate to seek help if you feel it’s necessary. You're doing the right thing by being proactive about your health!
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further clarification.
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