White patches that are shaggy or ridged in appearance that develop on
the sides of the tongue are the classic symptom of OHL. OHL can also cause
white patches on the topside or underside of the tongue or along the inside
of the cheek. These patches may not appear to be shaggy and may not contain
any noticeable ridges or folds.
OHL does not usually cause any other symptoms. Thus, many people may
not know that they have OHL unless they inspect their tongues or the inside
of their mouths for white patches. These patches do not usually cause
discomfort and generally do not affect the taste of foods or liquids.
In some cases, however, OHL can cause mild pain and may cause alterations
in taste and heightened sensitivity to food temperatures.
Here's an example of what OHL on a tongue can look like...
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