Oral leukoplakia is a condition in which small white plaques grow on the tongue and sometimes inside the cheeks or gums, for example. These stains do not cause pain, burning or itching and cannot be removed by scraping. They usually disappear without needing treatment.
The main cause of this condition is the frequent use of cigarettes, but it can also be caused by the use of irritating substances, such as frequent drinking of alcoholic beverages, for example, being more common in men aged between 40 and 60 years of age.
Although, in most cases, it is a benign condition, in some people it can be a sign of an infection by the Epstein-Barr virus, being called hairy leukoplakia. Infection with this virus is more common when the immune system is weakened by a disease, such as AIDS or cancer, so it is important to see a general practitioner to identify if there is a disease that needs to be treated, as it can progress to cancer. in the mouth.
Main symptoms
The main symptom of leukoplakia is the appearance of spots or plaques in the mouth, with the following characteristics:
- Grayish white color; Stains that cannot be removed with brushing; Irregular or smooth texture; Thick or hard areas; Rarely cause pain or discomfort.
In the case of hairy leukoplakia, it is also common for plaques to appear to have small hairs or folds, developing mainly on the sides of the tongue.
Another rare symptom is the appearance of small red dots over the white spots, which usually indicate the existence of cancer, but which need to be evaluated by a doctor to confirm the suspicion.
How the diagnosis is made
In most chaos the diagnosis is made by the doctor only by observing the spots and assessing the person's clinical history. However, if there is a suspicion that the leukoplakia may be caused by some disease, the doctor may order some tests such as biopsy of the spot, blood tests and even tomography, for example.
What can cause leukoplakia
The specific cause of this condition is not yet fully known, however, the chronic irritation of the lining of the mouth, mainly caused by the use of cigarettes, seems to be its main cause. Other factors that can also cause this type of inflammation are:
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages; Use of chewable tobacco; Broken teeth that rub against the cheek; Use of incorrectly sized or ill-fitting dentures.
Although it is more rare, there is still hairy leukoplakia that is caused by the infection of the Epstein-Barr virus. The presence of this virus in the body is relatively common, however, it is kept dormant by the immune system, causing no symptoms. However, when the immune system is weakened by a disease, such as AIDS or cancer, symptoms can develop and leukoplakia develop.
How the treatment is done
In most cases, leukoplakia spots do not need treatment, disappearing over time without causing any health problems. However, when they are being provoked by the use of cigarettes or alcohol, for example, it may be advisable to decrease their use, since most plaques disappear after a year of abstinence. When they are caused by broken teeth or poorly adapted dentures, it is advisable to go to the dentist to treat these problems.
In the case of suspected oral cancer, the doctor may recommend the removal of cells affected by the stains, through minor surgery or less invasive treatments, such as cryotherapy. In these cases, it is also important to have regular consultations to assess whether the spots appear again or if other symptoms of cancer appear.
