What is Leukoplakia or White Patches in the Mouth?
Leukoplakia is a condition in which thickened white patches form on the face,gums, the inside of the cheeks, the base of the mouth, and sometimes the tongue. These patches cannot be easily removed. The cause of leukoplakia is unknown, but tobacco, whether smoked, wet, or chewed, is considered to be the main culprit in its development.
Leukoplakia is not usually dangerous but can sometimes be severe. Although most leukoplakia patches are benign, a small percentage show early signs of cancer, and many mouth cancers occur near areas of leukoplakia. For that reason, it is best to see your dentist if you have unusual and persistent changes in your mouth.
What are the Types of White Patches in the Mouth?
There are two main types of leukoplakia:
Homogeneous: A thin, mostly white, uniform-colored spot that may have a smooth, wrinkled, or striated surface, which is uniform throughout.
Non-homogeneous : Mainly a white and red patch, irregular, that may be flat, nodular (bumpy), or warty (raised). Additional subclassifications, such as ulcerated and nodular (mottled), can also be made. These classifications can help predict the likelihood of a patch becoming cancerous.
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These are mainly white and red patches that are irregular. They may be flat, nodular (bumpy), or warty (raised). Additional subclassifications, such as ulcerated and nodular (mottled), can also be made. These can help predict the likelihood of a patch becoming cancerous.
Damage to the mouth can result from cheek chewing, excessive tooth brushing, trauma, or dentures that don't fit properly. Both of these can cause inflammation, redness, and probably white patches in the mouth.
White patches in the mouth can also result from underlying conditions, such as cancer and gum disease.
Injury to the inside of the cheek, such as from biting,
Prolonged alcohol use can all contribute to these symptoms.
What is Hairy Leukoplakia?
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the leading cause of hairy leukoplakia. Once you contract this virus, it remains in your body permanently.
EBV is usually inactive. However, it can cause patches of hairy leukoplakia to develop at any time. Flare-ups are more common in people with HIV or other immune problems.
Some common causes of white spots in the mouth include:
Tobacco use puts you at high risk for leukoplakia and oral cancer. Drinking alcohol in combination with smoking raises the risk.
How Do You Test for Hairy Leukoplakia?
If you have hairy leukoplakia, you may be screened for complications that can lead to a weakened immune system.
What Is The Treatment for Leukoplakia?
Treatment of leukoplakia, if necessary, involves removing the source of irritation. For example, if leukoplakia is caused by a rough tooth or an uneven denture or filling surface, the tooth will be smoothed, and the dentures or fillings will be restored.
If leukoplakia is caused by smoking, you will be advised to restrict or stop using smoking or other tobacco products.
Leukoplakia is typically harmless, and the lesions usually heal within a few weeks or months after the cause of irritation has been eliminated.
However, if removing the cause of inflammation is not effective in minimizing leukoplakia, the lesion will need to be surgically removed. The lesion can be removed by your general dentist or by an oral surgeon.
What Is the Treatment for Hairy Leukoplakia ?
You usually don't need treatment for hairy leukoplakia. The condition often causes no symptoms and is not likely to lead to mouth cancer. If your doctor prescribes medication, it may include:
Medicine : You can take a pill that affects your entire system (systemic medication), such as antiviral drugs. These drugs can suppress the Epstein-Barr virus, which is the cause of hairy leukoplakia. Topical treatment can also be used.
Follow-up visits: After finishing treatments, white patches of hairy leukoplakia may return. Your doctor can prescribe daily follow-up appointments to observe changes in your mouth or continuous treatment to prevent the recurrence of leukoplakia patches.
What Are The Complications of Leukoplakia?
Leukoplakia does not usually cause permanent damage to the mouth's tissues. However, oral cancer is a potentially serious complication of leukoplakia. Oral cancers often form near leukoplakia patches, and the patches themselves can show cancerous changes. Even after the leukoplakia patches are removed, the risk of oral cancer remains high.
Hairy leukoplakia, on the other hand, is not painful and is not likely to cause cancer. However, it can imply HIV infection or AIDS.
What is The Diagnostic Method for Leukoplakia ?
Since white leukoplakia patches do not cause symptoms, they are first noticed by doctors during a routine exam. Before making a diagnosis of leukoplakia, doctors investigate other possible causes of white spots. These could include friction inside the mouth (caused by something like false teeth), repeated cheek biting, yeast infections, or lichen planus.
Cancer Tests
Oral Brush Biopsy : Consists of removing cells from the surface of the lesion with a small rotating brush. This is a non-invasive procedure; however, it does not always result in a definitive diagnosis.
Excisional Biopsy : Involves surgically removing tissue from the leukoplakia patch or removing the entire patch if it is small. An excisional biopsy is more comprehensive and usually results in a definitive diagnosis.
If the biopsy is positive for cancer and your doctor has performed an excisional biopsy that removed the entire leukoplakia patch, you may not need further treatment. You may be referred to an oral surgeon or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for care if the patch is large.
When to Visit a Doctor?
Many cases of white spots in the mouth do not cause concern. However, anyone who develops white oral plaques should see a doctor for a thorough examination. These plaques can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious health complication that requires medical treatment, such as cancer.
While leukoplakia is not cancer, specialists also believe leukoplakia to be precancerous. Sometimes, oral tumors develop within persistent, painful, or severe plaques, or in areas of leukoplakia.
People should see a doctor for oral cancer if they notice the following symptoms:
Mottled white patches with raised red regions,
White bumps with dark or red spots,
Patches with an uneven texture,
Pain or difficulty eating,
Swallowing, or moving the jaw,
Sores that last more than 2 weeks without healing,
Changes in the surrounding tissues in the mouth, earache.
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Practicing proper oral hygiene and avoiding practices that harm or stress the lining of your mouth are the best ways to monitor and prevent leukoplakia.
Recommended ways to prevent leukoplakia include:
Avoid tobacco products of any kind.
Avoid inhaled or smoked products, including cannabis, cloves, and resin.
You can rinse your mouth with saltwater at home and avoid spicy or acidic foods to speed up the treatment.
2. What Are the White Spots in the Mouth and Throat?
White patches in the back of the throat or on the tonsils are usually signs of infection, particularly strep throat, tonsillitis, or mononucleosis. Sometimes, they are associated with a syphilitic infection.
3. Can a White Spot in the Mouth Be Cancer?
White spots on the inner surfaces of the mouth have several possible causes, including repeated injury or irritation. They can also be a sign of precancerous changes in the mouth or mouth cancer.
4. What is the most effective approach to treating leukoplakia?
Leukoplakia generally poses no serious threat, with patches frequently disappearing within weeks or months once the irritating cause is eliminated. Should this approach not yield results, it may become necessary to excise the lesion using a scalpel, laser, or cryotherapy. There typically isn't a need for any specific intervention for hairy leukoplakia.
5. Is Leukoplakia a Cancer?
Typically, leukoplakia does not inflict lasting harm on the inner mouth area. However, it heightens the likelihood of developing cancer in the mouth. Often, cancerous formations in the mouth are found adjacent to areas affected by leukoplakia. These leukoplakia spots can also undergo malignant transformations.
6. What are the causes of white patches in the mouth?
White patches in the mouth can be caused by various factors, including oral thrush (a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans), leukoplakia (a condition characterized by thickened, white patches on the mucous membranes of the mouth), oral lichen planus (an inflammatory condition affecting the mucous membranes), oral lichenoid reactions (similar to lichen planus but caused by exposure to certain substances like medications or dental materials), oral cancer, oral herpes (cold sores), and other less common conditions.
7. Can white spots in the mouth be harmless?
While some white spots in the mouth can be harmless and may resolve on their own, it's essential to have any unusual spots or patches evaluated by a healthcare professional. Harmless causes may include transient irritation or mild inflammation. However, white patches that persist, grow, bleed, or are associated with pain should be examined promptly, as they may indicate more serious underlying conditions such as oral cancer.
8. What abnormal cells in the mouth appear as white patches of tissue?
Abnormal cells in the mouth can appear as white patches of tissue in conditions like leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, oral lichenoid reactions, and oral cancer. These patches may indicate dysplasia (precancerous changes) or malignancy (cancerous growth).
