What Causes Small Blood Filled Dot On Tongue?

Posted on Fri, 24 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 Answered on

Fri, 15 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 39 year old female I had a deep cleaning three weeks ago the next day a small blood filled dot the size of a pin prick popped up on my tongue it does not hurt but is still there after three weeks it's still small no change in size should I be concerned that it had not yet healed

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Transient lingual papilitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

Thanks for consulting Healthcare magic .
This is Dr. Priyanka Tiwari answering your query .

Read your query and understand your concern as you have small blood filled dot size popped on tongue this might be Transient lingual papilitis . These are usually inflamed papillae or taste buds on tongue . For this usually no treatment is required but since it had not yet healed after 3 weeks you can apply Anaesthetic ointment (Lignocaine containing ) on tongue like Mucpain or Mugel .
-Do betadine containing mouthwash .
-Do warm saline gargle two -three times a day.
- Take multivitamin tablets by consulting with local doctor .
- Take balanced diet .

Nothing to be worried if your symptoms persists aforementioned then consult oral surgeon for clinical examination of tongue and get it evaluated .

Hope I have answered your query .
If you have further query feel free to ask I will be happy to help .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (19 hours later)

Thanks for your timely reply do you feel that it may have been caused by the cleaning also should I be concerned about oral cancer I do not nor have ever smoked and rarely drink also the spot showed up literally after a dental cleaning

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to be worried , inflamation of taste buds.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

Welcome again ,

Read your query transient lingual papillitis is usualy seen in patient with local accidental trauma like rubbing , scraping , biting or due to vitamin deficiency . Dont be worried so much it is not cancerous condition and it is not caused by dental cleaning .
For this there is no specific treatment . You can apply anaesthetic ointment on tongue and take multivitamin tablets by consulting with local doctor . If lesion persists for more then 3 to 4 weeks then consult oral surgeon for clinical examination of tongue and investigation like biopsy if needed .

Hope I have answered your query .
If you have further query I will be happy to help .

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T