I have had a painful lump on the right side of my tongue about two times over the past year. I am a 23 yr old smoker and drinker... which I know is half my problem. This lump usually arises after I have been asleep for a bit. It usually cause me to talk a bit different and has some pain associated. The lump goes away and my speech improves over the course of a couple/few days. Should I be worried? When the pain goes away I cannot feel the lump anymore. Any ideas? Thanks

How about going to your dentist to have your teeth cleaned and ask him/her to examine your tongue... they are good recognizing problems with the tongue and you can kill two birds with one stone. :)

I think I need to do that anyway... thanks

Yep, the Dentist will know what to do! Probably some teething numbs it.

You definitely should have your dentist check it. Cancerous lesions are usually not sore and will not come and go. Do you have any sharp or broken teeth on the right side of your mouth? You could be irritating your tongue with them while you sleep.

I don't think your dentist can help you with your other lump.:o

That's why I am not that concerned with it I just wanted some input. My aunt has recently developed dystonia in her tongue and I was seeing if it was maybe early signs that it is happening to me. As for the other one, that could be an awkward dental visit!

PLEASE go now. I had the same thing. I ignored it for one year thinking it was an ulcer. It was cancer. Only stage one though. I had a tongue reconstruction and radio... Im not saying this is what you have but the longer you wait the worse it will get. If I had gone when the lump first appearred I wouldn't be aware of the fact everyday that my tongue is not as it was. I was told I would never talk or sing again (I am a singer) that is rubbish... I do both still) BUT there is a LOT of recovery involved. But would you rather go through something that will make you stronger and more compassionate... or die of cancer once it gets into your lymph glands? GO NOW!

Good information changed4ever, but please make note of the date of the original post.