What is oral white spot?

  ”Oral leukoplakia” is a white plaque-like lesion that occurs on the oral mucosa. However, not all white patches of the oral mucosa can be called “oral leukoplakia”. Usually, the diagnosis of “oral white spots” first requires the doctor to make a preliminary judgment according to the clinical manifestations, and then take the lesion tissue for biopsy in the suspected area, and the pathologist will confirm it according to the pathological manifestations before making the definite diagnosis of “oral white spots”. Diagnosis. Many diseases may be mistaken for “oral white spots”, such as over-sharp tooth tips, root remnants, crown remnants or improperly restored denture, etc. Long-term stimulation of the surrounding mucosa can also cause local mucosal thickening and whitening, forming a lesion that looks like “oral white spots”. For patients who smoke, the chemical irritation of nicotine in tobacco and the physical irritation of the mucous membrane contacted by the overheated cigarette butt can also cause similar lesions. In this case, the patient needs to promptly remove the root or crown remnants, modify the denture, and quit smoking under medical supervision. When these causative factors are removed, the lesions may be reduced or gradually return to normal. ”Oral leukoplakia” clinically appears as a white or gray-white plaque with a uniform texture, flat or slightly above the mucosal surface. A few patients may have creamy, spiny or fuzzy protrusions; or granular red and white protrusions. Occasionally, patients may develop ulcers on top of the white plaques. Most patients with “oral leukoplakia” have only a rough feeling without significant pain.  So far, “oral leukoplakia” is still an oral mucosal disease of unknown etiology. What are the susceptibility factors, the World Health Organization statistics, defined it as a precancerous lesion. However, not all “oral leukoplakia” is necessarily cancerous, and about 3-5% of patients with “oral leukoplakia” may develop cancer. Current research shows that the location and type of oral leukoplakia, as well as the combination of viral and Candida infections have a certain relationship with the cancer of oral leukoplakia.  Therefore, it is especially important for such patients to have regular oral checkups. In addition, they should quit smoking and alcohol, remove all kinds of adverse stimuli in the mouth, and review the salivary Candida infection regularly.