Numerous causes can lead to white bumps on the lips. These include: Fordyce spots: These harmless, tiny (1 to 2 mm) white bumps inside the lips are visible sebaceous or oil-producing glands. These spots tend to get bigger as a person gets older. A person may have one small bump or as many as 100 bumps on the lips, typically on the inner portion. herpes simplex: Oral herpes can cause white bumps or canker sores on the lips. These may first appear as small sores then become blistered and fluid-filled. milia: Common in babies, milia are small, white bumps that occur when small, dead skin cells becomes trapped in the skin. While milia most commonly occur on the face, they also can appear on the lips. oral cancer: A white bump may appear on the face as flat or raised in texture. The bump is usually painless at first but may eventually start to bleed or ulcerate. Sun exposure, alcohol abuse, tobacco use (especially chewing tobacco), and the human papillomavirus (HPV) are all known oral cancer causes. oral thrush: Oral thrush is a fungal infection that causes white lesions on the lips, mouth, gums, or tonsils. The fungus Candida albicans is the most common fungal strain to cause oral thrush. Sometimes white bumps on the lips are a harmless genetic variation. Just as some people have moles or birthmarks, others may have white bumps on the lips.