If a patient presents with bumps on the lateral tongue, what is the suggested course of action?

In cases where a patient presents with bumps on the lateral tongue, the suggested course of action to do nothing and recommend salt water rinses is appropriate if the condition appears benign and self-limiting. Many instances of bumps on the tongue can be due to transient irritation, minor trauma, or even benign conditions such as geographic tongue or oral lichen planus, which may not require aggressive intervention.

Salt water rinses can help promote healing and provide relief from any associated discomfort. This recommendation is a conservative and supportive approach that allows for the possibility of spontaneous resolution of the bumps without unnecessary medical intervention.

Other options, such as referring to a specialist or performing a biopsy, are generally reserved for cases where there are signs of a more serious underlying pathology that may require surgical intervention or further investigation. Prescribing antibiotics would typically be indicated in the presence of a confirmed bacterial infection, which may not be the case with isolated bumps on the tongue. As such, it's crucial to assess the clinical context in which the symptoms present to determine the most appropriate course of action.