What is oral leukoplakia?
Oral leukoplakia manifests with thick, white plaques on the gums, inner cheekbones, lower mouth and sometimes on the tongue.
Prognosis of the disease
Most oral leukoplakias are mild and benign. However, some have early signs of cancer. Some cancers of the lower mouth may occur near foci of leukoplakia. White foci mixed with red (mottled leukoplakia) can be a sign of potential cancer. Therefore, it is very important to see a dental specialist or family doctor if you notice unusual or persistent changes in the oral cavity.
Symptoms of oral leukoplakia
Oral leukoplakias usually manifest as a white spot but they are not usually painful and may go unnoticed. Symptoms that may raise suspicion of oral leukoplakias are:
- White or grayish patches that do not disappear when the area is cleaned or washed.
- Thickened or hardened areas.
- Areas with irregular or flat texture.
- If there are red, lumpy lesions (erythroplasia or mottled leukoplakia) there may be a risk of cancer, as mentioned above.
A specialist should be consulted when:
- White plaques or mouth sores do not heal on their own in about two weeks.
- There are white, red or dark lumps or patches.
- There are persistent changes in the mouth.
- There is ear pain when swallowing.
- There is a reduced ability to open the mouth.
Medical tests for oral leukoplakia
Your health care provider will visually examine the lesion. If necessary, a biopsy will be performed to remove tissue, but only in very specific cases.
What are the causes of oral leukoplakia?
The exact cause of oral leukoplakia is not known, but some causative factors could be:
- Tobacco
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Inadequate diet with vitamin deficiencies
- Bad habits, such as compulsive biting of parts of the mouth
- Poor oral hygiene
- Irritating factors, such as poorly fitting dentures
- Use of some mouthwashes
- Infectious diseases, such as candida, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or syphilis
- Idiopathic causes
- Causes produced by external factors
Can it be prevented?
Oral leukoplakia can be prevented by avoiding tobacco and alcohol consumption. However, in cases of oral cancer, they are usually painless until advanced, so quitting smoking and drinking alcohol is the best preventive measure.
Treatments for oral leukoplakia
Treatment of oral leukoplakia is based on:
- Eliminating risk factors, such as smoking. With this measure up to 50% of the lesions are cured.
- Retinoic acid, vitamin A and other synthetic retinoids.
- Surgery: cryosurgery, laser surgery or surgical excision can be used.
- Photodynamic therapy, with the application of a photosensitizing agent so that the radiation acts only on the altered tissues.
Which specialist treats it?
It is usually treated by a specialist in Dentistry and Stomatology or by a family physician.