Leukoplakia
Overview
Leukoplakia is a white patch or patches in the mouth. If you have a white patch in your mouth that does not go away, get it checked by a dentist or GP.
Symptoms
Leukoplakia patches: are white patches in the mouthare not usually painfulare an irregular shapemay be slightly raisedmay have red areas within the patchcannot be rubbed or scraped away (patches that can be removed could beoral thrush)
Causes
Find out about other causes of a white tongue
Treatment
Treatment for leukoplakia is not always needed, but you'll have regular check-ups to make sure the patch is not getting bigger. The patch may get smaller or go away if you: stop smokingstop drinking alcohol or reduce the amount you drinkdo not chew tobacco, paan or betel nuts Surgery is sometimes used to remove leukoplakia patches if there's a chance that they could become cancerous. This may be done after numbing the affected area usinglocal anaestheticso you do not feel any pain or discomfort. Sometimes ageneral anaestheticis used. The patch can be removed in a number of ways, including using a laser or surgical scalpel. Your mouth should heal quickly afterwards.
Prevention
The exact cause of leukoplakia is not known, but smoking and chewing tobacco are thought to increase your chances of getting it. There are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting leukoplakia. These may also reduce your risk of getting mouth cancer. keep your mouth and teeth healthyby taking care of your teeth and gums keep your mouth and teeth healthyby taking care of your teeth and gums have regulardental check-ups have regulardental check-ups if you weardentures, make sure they fit properly if you weardentures, make sure they fit properly eat a balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables eat a balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables do not smoke do not smoke do not chew tobacco, paan or betel nuts do not chew tobacco, paan or betel nuts do not drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol (14 units a week) do not drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol (14 units a week)