Scraping leukoplakia, the appearance of white patches on the inside of the mouth

There are various problems that can affect oral health, one of which is leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is the appearance of thick, grayish-white patches or plaques with a slightly raised surface. These spots are often found on the tongue, gums and other lining of the mouth. Although white patches are sometimes harmless and can heal on their own, white patches related to leukoplakia should not be underestimated.

Leukoplakia is a white, gray patch on the mouth

Leukoplakia is the medical term for the appearance of grayish-white patches on the tongue or anywhere in the lining of the mouth. Sometimes, leukoplakia not only causes white patches, but also makes the surface of the tongue rough or hairy which is known as oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL).

Instead of being a medical condition, leukoplakia is the name for various kinds of white sores on the mouth. In some cases, mild leukoplakia is harmless and can go away on its own.

However, if it is severe, leukoplakia can indicate a more dangerous condition, such as an early sign of oral cancer.

What causes leukoplakia?

It is not certain what causes leukoplakia. However, irritation and consuming tobacco or smoking are thought to be common causes of leukoplakia. In addition, the following things can also cause leukoplakia:

There is an injury that causes a wound on the inside of the cheek, such as an accidental bite.
Tooth surfaces that are serrated, broken, sharp, or uneven, which can injure the surface of the tongue and gums.
Dentures that are damaged or are not positioned correctly.
Long-term alcohol consumption (alcoholism).

Meanwhile, for oral hairy leukoplakia or hairy leukoplakia, the main cause is infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Right after infection, the EBV virus will stay in your body for life. However, this virus is usually inactive.

When your immune system is weakened, the EBV virus will reactivate so that it can develop white patches of hairy leukoplakia at any time.

Source: Treat MD

What are the symptoms of leukoplakia?

The lining of the inner cheeks, gums, and the tongue, especially at the bottom, are some areas of the mouth that often experience leukoplakia. As mentioned earlier, leukoplakia is thick patches or plaques of varying shapes.

When leukoplakia is present in the mouth, several symptoms will appear, such as:

Plaque is white or gray
Hard textured plaque, thick, with a raised surface
The size and shape of the plaque is irregular
Sometimes the surface of the plaque feels hairy, especially due to oral hairy leukoplakia or hairy leukoplakia

If leukoplakia is an early sign of cancer, unusual red spots will appear. So, do not delay to consult a doctor immediately.

What is the treatment for leukoplakia?

The most effective treatment for lelukoplakia is when the patches or plaques are still small. So, always try to pay attention if there are changes that seem unusual in the area of the teeth and mouth, and immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

In this case, the doctor will usually ask you to avoid the source of the leukoplakia, such as not smoking and drinking alcohol. If the leukoplakia is due to irritation or dental problems, the dentist can provide other solutions depending on your condition.

If these treatments are not effective enough or if plaque is an early sign of oral cancer, treatment may involve removing the leukoplakia patches. This procedure is performed using a scalpel or laser to destroy cancer cells to prevent their spread.

Whereas in the case of hairy leukoplakia, there is no need to worry too much because this condition does not lead to oral cancer. If treatment is needed, it may only include administering antiviral drugs to stop plaque growth, as well as topical ointments containing retinoic acid to reduce the size of the plaque.

Routinely consult your condition so that the doctor can continue to monitor your progress as well as suggest further treatment if necessary.