I have a painless, smooth red patch on my tongue, as seenin my profile picture. what is it?

Internet Diagnosis?: The picture is small and the red patch even smaller and honestly is not big or clear enough to tell you what we think with any degree of certainty. Median rhomboid glossitis, a growth or something else? Pure guesses! was it always there or recently formed? You will need to see your general dentist, oral surgeon, pcp or ENT specialist for a definitive diagnosis.

Geographic tongue?: A doctor needs to see it. It is probably benign, but have it checked.

Most likely is: Geographic tongue (gt) which is a variation of normal. Our taste bus are constantly being replaced. In gt patches of taste buds get replaced at a time, rather than individual ones scattered around. As the taste buds get regenerated the patch goes away and a new one can crop up elsewhere on the tongue. Some studies show that when you are under stress the gt pattern is more likely.

Possibly Geographic: Geographic tongue is not "normal", but rather a benign, usually, but not always painless, inflammatory process that alters normal tongue anatomy. It can come and go in its own. It will go away without treatment, but can and often will return. It is not contagious. Treatment is not necessary unless symptoms of burning develop, contact your dentist.