Dr. Rachana Chindhade, Smile Care, Nashik

Leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion ,with adherent white plaques or patches that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek as a response to chronic irritation.

Causes :

• Irritation from rough teeth or rough places on the dentures, fillings and crowns.
• Smoking,chewing tobacco or snuff in the mouth for a long period of time.
• Like other mouth ulcers, leukoplakia may become cancerous.

Symptoms :

Leukoplakia is a skin lesion with following characteristics :

1. LOCATION -
   • Usually on the tongue.
   • Maybe on the inside of the cheeks.
   • In females, occasionally on the genitals.
2. COLOUR -
   • Usually white or gray.
   • It could be red(erythroplakia).
3. TEXTURE -
   • Thick.
   • Slightly raised.
   • Hardened surface.

Possible Complications :

• The lesion causes chronic discomfort.
• Infection of the lesion is a possibility.
• Oral cancer.

Exams and tests :

• Typical leukoplakia develops slowly over weeks to months, it may become rough in texture, sensitive to touch, heat, spicy foods or other irritation.
• Biopsy of the lesion confirms the diagnosis.

Treatment :

• The goal of the treatment is to eliminate the lesion. Removal of the source of irritation is important and may lead to disappearance of the lesion.
• Dental causes such as rough teeth, irregular denture surface or fillings should be treated as soon as possible.
• Smoking or other tobacco use should be stopped.
• Surgical removal of the lesion under local anaesthesia.
• Vitamin A or vitamin E supplements may shrink lesions.

Prevention :

Minimize or stop smoking or other tobacco use. Have rough teeth treated and dental appliances repaired promptly.