Oral leukoplakia is a condition in which small white spots develop on the tongue and sometimes inside the cheeks or gums, for example. These spots do not cause pain, burning or itching and cannot be removed by scratching. They usually disappear without treatment.
The main cause of this condition is frequent use of cigarettes, but it can also be caused by the use of irritants, such as frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, for example, more common in men age 40 to 60.
- Although in most cases it is a mild disease.
- In some people it may be a sign of infection with the Epstein-Barr virus.
- Called hairy leukosia.
- Infection with this virus is most common when the immune system is weakened by a disease.
- Such as AIDS or cancer.
- So it is important to consult a family doctor to see if there are any diseases to treat.
- As it can progress to cancer in the mouth.
The main symptom of leukolasia is the appearance of spots or plaques in the mouth, with the following characteristics:
In the case of hairy leukolasia, it is also common for plaques to appear to have small hairs or folds, which develop mainly on the sides of the tongue.
Another rare symptom is the appearance of small red dots on white spots, which usually indicate the existence of cancer, but which must be evaluated by a doctor to confirm the suspicion.
In most of the chaos, the diagnosis is made by the doctor only by looking at the stains and evaluating the person’s clinical history; However, if there is a suspicion that leukolasia may be caused by a disease, your doctor may order tests such as stain biopsy, blood tests, and even a CT scan, for example.
The specific cause of this condition is not yet fully known, however, chronic irritation of the oral mucosa, mainly caused by the use of cigarettes, appears to be its main cause. Other factors that can also cause this type of inflammation include:
Although rarer, hairy leukolasia is still available caused by Epstein-Barr virus infection. The presence of this virus in the body is relatively common, however, the immune system keeps it inactive, without causing symptoms. the immune system is weakened by a disease, such as AIDS or cancer, symptoms and leukolasia may develop.
In most cases, leucolaia spots do not need treatment, disappearing over time without causing health problems; However, when they are caused by the use of cigarettes or alcohol, for example, it may be advisable to reduce their consumption, since most of the plaques disappear afterwards. one year of abstinence. When it is due to broken teeth or inadequate dentures, it is advisable to go to the dentist to treat these problems.
On suspicion of mouth cancer, your doctor may recommend removing stain-affected cells, minor surgeries, or less invasive treatments, such as cryotherapy, in these cases it’s also important to make regular appointments to assess whether stains are coming back or if other cancer symptoms appear.