Leukoplakia appears as thick, white spots on the inner surfaces of the mouth. It has several possible causes, including repeated injury or irritation. It can also be a sign of precancerous changes in the mouth or of mouth cancer.
Leukoplakia is a condition in which thickened white patches form on the 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 serious. 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.
There are two main types of leukoplakia:
A thin, mostly white, uniform-colored spot that may have a smooth, wrinkled, or striated surface, which is uniform throughout.
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.
Mainly white and red patches, irregular, 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.
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.
Tobacco use puts you at high risk for leukoplakia and oral cancer. Drinking alcohol in combination with smoking raises the risk.
Leukoplakia does not usually cause permanent damage to the tissues of the mouth. 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.
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.
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.
If you have hairy leukoplakia, you may be screened for complications that can lead to a weakened immune system.
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.
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:
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:
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:
You can rinse your mouth with saltwater at home and avoid spicy or acidic foods to speed up the treatment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
