by David Riel

Created on: May 09, 2007   Last Updated: May 16, 2007

Warning: if you have bumps on your tongue getting rid of them may be a job for your doctor.

My aunt recently had a large bump removed from her tongue. She'd been putting up with it for quite awhile, but she finally saw her doctor about it. He made an appointment to have it biopsied the next day, and she had the operation removing it the following week.

Her doctor told her that you shouldn't leave bumps on your tongue, or other suspicious bumps or lumps, without getting medical attention because they can be cancerous. The quicker you act, the better.

My aunt's tongue is very sore, and I hope she'll be OK. She's very glad she saw her doctor when she did. She was surprised she needed surgery, but glad she hadn't waited any longer to see her doctor.

If you just have small bumps from biting your tongue, or abrading it while eating - if you know what caused your bump or bumps, in other words - just rinse your mouth out with salt water frequently. This will keep your mouth clean, and help your tongue heal. Eventually your bump will go away.

But if it doesn't, or it's a larger bump and you have no idea what caused it, don't waste any time. See your doctor.

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