What is leukoplakia?
Leukoplakia is thickened, white patches that form on your gums, on the insides of your cheeks, on the bottom of your mouth and, sometimes, on your tongue.
Doctors don't know what causes leukoplakia but consider chronic irritation from tobacco — whether smoked, dipped or chewed — to be the main culprit in its development.
Most leukoplakia patches are noncancerous (benign), though some show early signs of cancer. So it's best to see your dentist or primary care professional if you have unusual, persistent changes in your mouth.
Leukoplakia may appear:
- White or grayish in patches that can't be wiped away
- Irregular or flat-textured
- Thickened or hardened in areas
- Along with raised, red lesions (speckled leukoplakia or erythroplakia), which are more likely to show precancerous changes
A type of leukoplakia called hairy leukoplakia, sometimes called oral hairy leukoplakia, primarily affects people whose immune systems have been weakened by disease.
When to see a doctor
Even though leukoplakia doesn't usually cause discomfort, sometimes it can indicate a more serious condition.
See your dentist or primary care professional if you have any of the following:
- White plaques or sores in your mouth that don't heal on their own within two weeks
- Lumps or white, red or dark patches in your mouth
- Persistent changes in the tissues of your mouth
- Ear pain when swallowing
- Progressive reduction in the ability to open your jaw
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/leukoplakia/symptoms-
causes/syc-20354405
