Leukoplakia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Leukoplakias are plaques or white patches found in the mouth.
Although they generally appear on the tongue, these spots can also be found in other parts of the mouth, such as the roof of the mouth, gums or lips.
Spots that appear due to leukoplakia are often thickened and cannot be removed by rubbing.
It should be noted, leukoplakia is often associated with an increased risk of oral cancer.
| Medical specialist | Dentist, internal medicine specialist |
| Symptom | White patches or plaques in the oral cavity |
| Risk Factors | Smoking, alcohol consumption, yeast infection, HIV |
| How to Diagnose | History, physical examination |
| Treatment | Based on the main underlying cause, if necessary antifungals, surgery |
| Drug | Antifungal |
| Complications | Widespread lesions, malnutrition |
| When to See a Doctor? | If the lesion is getting wider, bleeding easily, weight loss is significant |
Symptom
Symptoms of leukoplakia appear in the form of white plaques that can be found on the tongue (most commonly), floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth, inner wall of the cheeks, gums, and lower lip.
This plaque is well-defined, its surface can be higher than the surrounding area, and cannot be removed even after scrubbing.
Reason
The exact cause of leukoplakia is still being investigated. However, experts believe that the cause of leukoplakia is chronic irritation in the mouth.
Risk Factors
Leukoplakia can occur due to several factors, namely:
- Smoke. This bad habit can cause changes in the mucous membranes of the mouth due to heat and irritating substances in cigarettes
- Alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol runs the risk of causing irritation to the oral cavity
- Frictional keratosis or repeated friction can irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth. For example, the habit of biting the inside of the cheek or wearing dentures that don’t fit
- Candidiasis (fungal infection)
- Deficiency of vitamins A or B
- HIV which can cause hairy leukoplakia
Diagnosis
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will usually conduct a medical interview and physical examination.
The doctor will also immediately see if there is an image of leukoplakia in the patient’s mouth to determine the diagnosis.
In some cases, further examination can be carried out in the form of a biopsy to determine the condition of the cells in leukoplakia.
Treatment
Several things can be done to treat leukoplakia, including:
- Quit smoking
- Stop consuming alcohol
- Undergoing antifungal medication, if the problem is caused by a yeast infection
- Surgery is performed to remove leukoplakia, especially recommended if the results of a biopsy examination find abnormal cells in leukoplakia
Prevention
Leukoplakia can be prevented by living a clean and healthy lifestyle.
In addition, avoid or stop bad habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Complications
If the leukoplakia condition is not treated properly, the infection can spread.
If it is heavy enough, it can interfere with appetite which can cause a decrease in intake and can lead to malnutrition to poor nutrition.
When to See a Doctor?
If the lesion is getting wider, accompanied by other symptoms such as easy bleeding and decreased appetite until the weight drops dramatically, it is highly recommended to see a doctor.