Are you worried about the white spot on your lip? Our lips allow us to smile and express our thoughts with the world, but having a white bump on them might make you uncomfortable. Not only does it lower one’s self-esteem, but a white spot can also look unusual and foreboding. While lip bumps are not concerning in general, they can sometimes signify severe underlying conditions.
What Causes White Spots on Lips?
The white dot on your lips can be many things, including:
- Fordyce Spots
The white bumps on your lips are usually the sebaceous, oil-producing glands known as Fordyce Spots. They are harmless, small dots around 1 to 2 millimeters in size. These white dots typically appear on the inner portion of your lips. Moreover, a person can get one or as many as 100 spots on their lip. - Milia
Milia are white bumps that occur on the face, including lips. They are benign cysts that form when dead skin cells become trapped in the skin. Although people of all ages can get milia, they usually appear on an infant’s face. - Oral Thrush
White lesions on the mouth, gums, tonsils, or lips can indicate a fungal infection called oral thrush, usually caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Hence, the white spot on your lip might be a symptom of oral thrush. - Herpes Simplex
White spots or canker sores on lips or other areas of the mouth can also appear due to the presence of the herpes simplex virus. Over time, these white dots turn into cold sores. You might feel a tingling sensation prior to the appearance of oral herpes, followed by white bumps that gradually turn into cold sores. - Oral Cancer
White is usually perceived as a friendly and innocent color, something that foretells peace. However, a flat or raised white bump can indicate oral cancer. At first, the cancerous growth is painless and seemingly benign, but it starts bleeding after some time. Tobacco abuse, sun exposure, and HPV human papillomavirus are some reasons that can lead to oral cancer. Therefore, do not ignore a persistent white spot on your lip or any other mouth area.
Treatment for White Spot on Lip
The treatment for the white bumps on your lips depends on the cause. You can get:
- Fordyce dots surgically removed if they make you feel self-conscious.
- Antifungal medications for oral thrush
- antiviral medicines to temporarily treat oral herpes
- oral cancer screening to confirm if the cyst is cancerous, then treat it accordingly via chemotherapy, radiation, etc.
What Should I Do?
A white spot on the lip can indicate many underlying conditions. No matter the cause, you should avoid picking on it. Moreover, keep your lips moistened to prevent them from getting too dry. Visit your doctor immediately if you experience pain, bleeding, swelling, a numb tongue, fever, sore throat, or any other complication due to the white bumps.
Our experts at Champions Dental can get you started on the journey to improved oral health. Drop by our clinic or dial (281) 866-0442 to get in touch with us.