Leukoplakia is a white or gray patch that develops on the tongue or the
inside of the cheek. It is the mouth's reaction to chronic irritation of the
mucous membranes of the mouth. Leukoplakia patches can also develop on the
female genital area; however, the cause of this is unknown.
The growth can occur at any time in your life, but it is most common in the
elderly.
"Hairy" leukoplakia of the mouth is an unusual form of leukoplakia that is
seen only in people who are infected with HIV, have AIDS, or AIDS-related
complex. It consists of fuzzy, hence the name "hairy," white patches on the
tongue and less frequently elsewhere in the mouth. It may resemble thrush, an
infection caused by the fungus Candida which, in adults, usually occurs if your
immune system is not working properly, and may be one of the first signs of
infection with the HIV virus.
The presence of white or gray colored patches on your tongue, gums, roof of
your mouth, or the inside of the cheeks of your mouth may be a sign of
leukoplakia. The patch may have developed slowly over weeks to months and be
thick, slightly raised, and may eventually take on a hardened and rough texture.
It usually is painless, but may be sensitive to touch, heat, spicy foods, or
other irritation.
There are a variety of diseases and conditions that can cause tongue problems, discoloration, and soreness. Though most tongue problems are not serious. Conditions such as leukoplakia, oral thrush, and oral lichen planus may cause a white tongue while Kawasaki syndrome, scarlet fever, and geographic tongue may cause the tongue to appear red. A black hairy tongue may be caused by overgrown papillae on the tongue. Canker sores, smoking, and trauma may cause soreness of the tongue.
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
There are a number of things that can cause a whitish coating or white spots to develop on the tongue, including:
Leukoplakia. This condition causes cells in the mouth to grow excessively. That, in turn, leads to the formation of white patches inside the mouth, including on the tongue. Although not dangerous on its own, leukoplakia can be a precursor to cancer. So it is important for your dentist to determine the cause of white patches on your tongue. Leukoplakia can develop when
the tongue has been irritated and is often found in people who use
tobacco products.
Oral thrush. Also known as candidiasis, oral thrush is a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. The condition results in white patches that are often cottage cheese-like in consistency on the surfaces of the mouth and tongue. Oral thrush is most commonly seen in infants and the elderly, espe...
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