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How Is Leukoplakia Treated
If changes in life habits do not resolve the leukoplakia, your dentist
may choose to remove the lesions with a scalpel, a laser, or by freezing
the effected areas with a cryoprobe. While experiments have been conducted
with the topical use of retinoid creams (similar to those used to
treat acne) issues with side effects have not been satisfactorily
resolved. Some people with leukoplakia have seen a resolution of the
issue by taking the anti-oxidant beta-carotene found in Vitamin A.
For hairy leukoplakia systemic medications like valacyclovir or
famciclovir, used to treat Epstein-Barr, may clear up the lesions
but unfortunately they will most likely return when the drugs are
discontinued. Topical solutions like a podophyllum resin solution
and tretinoin can heal leukoplakia patches and hairy leukoplakia
but have a tendency to affect the patient’s sense of taste
and again, the patches return when the treatment is discontinued.
When Should I See The Dentist?
Any time you see changes to the tissues of the mouth you should monitor
the condition carefully. If you see or feel lumps, white patches,
or red or dark patches that have not disappeared in a week, see your
dentist. Most oral lesions, like simple blisters, or even an outbreak
of the thrush, can either be treated easily or disappear on their
own. But persistent lesions should be checked out, especially if you
smoke and drink alcoholic beverages routinely.
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Do not allow lesions in the mouth to go unexamined by a health
care professional. From all the information on leukoplakia available,
the condition is related to lifestyle in almost all cases. Hairy
leukoplakia, on the other hand, may be caused by a more serious
underlying immune system disorder.
What Will My Dentist Do?
Normally your dentist will perform a visual examination of the white
patches in the mouth or the fuzzy manifestation of hairy leukoplakia
on the tongue. Other conditions will be ruled out and most likely
a biopsy will be taken of one of the patches. This involves a simple
scraping with no need for anesthesia. If the lab report shows no irregular
cell growth you at least have the comfort of knowing that what you
are seeing is not an oral cancer.
Can I Make Changes That Will Help?
The best way to treat and to prevent leukoplakia is to stop smoking
or never to start in the first place. If you drink alcohol, do so
infrequently and in moderation. Since larger health issues are plainly
linked to the use of tobacco and to the abuse of alcohol, this advice
speaks not just to a resolution of leukoplakia but to maintaining
good health overall.
If you have dental appliances like dentures, maintain them properly
and ensure that they are well fitted to your mouth. Visit a dentist
regularly so that no rough patches develop on your natural teeth.
A diet rich in beta-carotenes found in dark yellow, orange, and
green fruits and vegetables is also an excellent preventative. Carrots,
squash, pumpkins, spinach, and cantaloupe are all rich in beta-carotenes.
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