One should be aware of the causes of oral leukoplakia if they have white, red, and grey patches in their mouth. It is a painless condition that goes unnoticed most of the time. Leuko stands for “white” and plakia for “patch”.
By looking at the Leukoplakia pictures it's pretty hard to guess how deadly it can be. Top dentists in Patna suggest that these white patches may seem unharmful but can become oral cancer if left untreated.
This is why at Dr. Sachin’s Dental Clinic we advise every patient to be aware of its causes as it helps in prevention. So, in this blog, we will talk about some of the common reasons behind leukoplakia and its treatment methods.
Causes of Oral Leukoplakia
According to data, 2% of people worldwide have leukoplakia, which increases with age. It used to affect men mostly but now women are also vulnerable to this disease. So, whether you are male or female you must be aware of the causes:
1. Tobacco use
Honestly speaking, medical science cannot find the exact reason behind the Leukoplakia in the mouth. However, this much is clear that the long-term use of tobacco has been linked to it.
Many regular users of smoked or smokeless tobacco get leukoplakia. This especially occurs in a place where they hold the tobacco. So, if you are addicted to tobacco, be cautious.
2. Alcohol Consumption
Some studies have also found a link between regular alcohol consumption and leukoplakia. In a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, alcohol drinking is found to be an independent risk factor for leukoplakia in an Indian population.
That’s why those people who drink alcohol with tobacco are at high risk of getting leukoplakia.
3. Oral Infections
Infections like the Epstein-Barr virus can trigger the Oral hairy leukoplakia. In this condition, white patches occur on the tongue. If you look at the Leukoplakia images tongue then it will look as if white fungi are spreading all across the tongue.
Sometimes this white patches also happens in the other parts of the mouth, so don’t be confused.
4. Sun Exposure
White patches in the mouth can also be caused due to over sun exposure. Leukoplakia caused by overexposure to the sun generally occurs in gums, cheeks, or tongues.
Additionally, sun exposure for long periods can also lead to deadly diseases like lip cancer. It is still not clear how it happens and why it happens, but some health experts link to the side effects of ultraviolet rays.
5. Chronic Irritation
As we know, medical science cannot find the exact reason behind leukoplakia. That is why many health experts also believe that irritation in the mouth can lead to leukoplakia.
If something irritates tissue lining the inside of the mouth, can give rise to white or red patches. Many people have suffered from irritation because of poor fitting of a dental implant in Patna. That’s why it's crucial to choose a good quality dental clinic for oral treatments.
6. Underlying Diseases
Those who suffer from weak immune systems are also affected by hairy leukoplakia. That is the reason why underlying conditions like HIV that attack the immune system are linked to this disease.
Other than that immunosuppression is also one such health condition that can lead to leukoplakia or even cancer.
So these were the 5 causes of oral leukoplakia that people should be aware of if they wish to stay away from this health problem. Most people ignore this health condition because they think it, heal on its own, but is that true?
Can Leukoplakia Heal on its Own?
Most people who have Leukoplakia symptoms choose to not get it treated as they believe it will heal on its own. Yes, yes true that in most cases the Leukoplakia goes away on its own without any treatment.
But, still one should consult an oral health expert if it stays longer than 2 weeks. This will help in removing it before it can take a dangerous form and lead to cancer.
Being the best dental multispeciality clinic in Patna we examine our Leukoplakia patients thoroughly and then provide them with a suitable treatment. However, remember that along with treatment self-care is also important.
Leukoplakia Self-Care
If your dentist appointment is a few weeks or days away, until must follow some self-care tips for leukoplakia.
1. Look for the Cause of Irritation - If your dental appliances like dentures or braces are irritating, fix them ASAP.
2. Reduce the Use of Tobacco - We know that tobacco chewing or smoking can lead to this health condition and may also give rise to cancer. So, stop or at least reduce its uses.
3. Use ointment Creams - If your leukoplakia is causing discomfort then use Leukoplakia treatment ointment cream. There are multiple ointment creams for the different causes of Leukoplakia. Talk to a health expert, and choose the right one for you.
Along with these some people also deal with Leukoplakia through salt water. If these self-care tips don’t help you to manage the disease, go for the professional treatment.
Leukoplakia Treatment
Treating Leukoplakia is not a big deal, oral experts remove these white patches through multiple procedures and methods:
- Laster Treatmnet
- photodynamic therapy
- cryotherapy
- Electrocauterization
- Oral Hygiene and Nutritional Support
So these were the 5 ways by which a professional health expert deals with leukopenia. If you or any of your family members are struggling with this health condition, hurry and opt for professional treatment for fast and quick results.
Conclusion
Oral leukoplakia is a condition that gives rise to white, red, and grey patches in the mouth. Most of the time they are left untreated because of their painless nature.
But, this painless condition can result in mouth cancer. This is why in this blog we have given 5 causes of oral leukoplakia so that one can prevent it easily.
Along with that we have talked about some self-care tips and professional treatment. To get a top quality professional treatment you must come to Dr. Sachin’s Dental.
Here you get to meet the best dentist in Patna, who holds a rich experience in the field of dentistry. He will give safe and effective treatment, tailored to your personal needs.
