Red bumps may appear on the back of the tongue for a variety of reasons. While most reasons are not at all serious, it's a good idea to be able to identify your bumps so you can seek the appropriate lifestyle changes or treatments.

Bruxism is a condition that occurs when you frequently clench your jaw, especially at night, according to Medline Plus. This condition can be extremely painful, as bruxism can wear down the teeth, affecting your bite and causing headaches, earache, sore jaw and increased sensitivity in the teeth.

Ulcers on the tongue, or Aphthous ulcers, are white colored patches or lesions seen in the mouth. According to University of Pittsburgh, about 20 percent of all Americans encounter it at any given time.

Drinking soda isn't good for your teeth because the sugar and acids in soda contribute to tooth decay. Dark-colored soda also leads to tooth stains. However, good dental care and tooth whitening may remove some stains caused by soda and other foods and drinks.

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, can cause serious problems that affect the enjoyment of food and the condition of the mouth. Without saliva, food and bacteria linger in the mouth, accelerating tooth decay. In addition, lack of saliva alters the taste of food and prevents the start of digestion.

Thumb-sucking is a common habit among young children because it offers comfort and security. Many children begin sucking their thumb in utero and continue the habit through the infant and toddler years.

Tongue fungus is a form of mucocutaneous infection, or thrush. It is due to a yeast, a single-celled budding organism, most often Candida albicans. According to the Lab Technologist site, there are 600 known microorganisms that inhabit a healthy human’s mouth and are considered normal flora; Candida is one of them.

People with food allergies develop irritating and, in some cases, life-threatening symptoms soon after eating the offending food. Symptoms of a food allergy range from hives to difficulty breathing. Developing a swollen tongue after eating can indicate a food allergy, but having a coating on your tongue does not.

The sinus cavity is located in your face and head. It is composed of air pockets, and some are in close proximity to your jaw. When a dentist completes any type of oral surgery, he must take care that the tools he uses do not disturb the sinuses.

Over the past twenty years, body piercing is a common practice in Western society. Many people have expanded beyond single ear piercings to multiple ear piercings or more exotic piercing locations such as the navel, nose, or nipples. Another preferred body piercing location is the tongue.

If you have a dry mouth, you may feel as though it's full of cotton. Sometimes a common cold can cause a dry mouth. Other causes include medications, cancer therapy and health conditions such as depression, stroke or diabetes. If your dry mouth is severe, you may find relief in artificial saliva products.

Tooth decay and gum disease occur in both children and adults. Yet, when you keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, these problems are preventable. Four components are crucial to your plan for strong teeth and healthy gums: a healthy diet, good oral hygiene, use of fluorides and regular professional cleanings.