Instead, these "tongue pimples" are bumps that can occur for ... They appear when the papillae become inflamed, resulting in red or white swollen bumps. Medical term: Papillae are small bumps ...

Medically reviewed by Soma Mandal, MD Transient lingual papillitis (TLP), or "lie bumps," is a common inflammatory condition ...

However, a singular, hard bump on the tongue can be a cancerous growth. Sores, red or white spots, irritated spots, numbness, lumps, and growths in the mouth are common signs of cancer.