White Patches Might Increase Risk of Oral Cancer

Leukoplakia is the medical term describing a wide range of oral sores, including thick white patches on the gums, tongue and mouth cavity. Most people brush white patches off, because they are temporary. However, apart from ruining your smile and teeth, leukoplakia can lead to oral cancer.

Key takeaways:

– Causes include; smoking, ulcers, HPV, excessive use of whiteners, poor quality braces and retainers, alcohol, weak immune system, chewing certain nuts and steroid inhalers.

– Symptoms of Leukoplakia are white, grey or transparent patches on tongue, gums, under the tongue and in the cheeks.

– The dentist will do biopsies, if it is pre-cancerous, more tests are done. Otherwise, the patches are removed by scalpel and medication (in cases of HIV).

You can prevent Leukoplakia by avoiding smoking, alcohol, abrasive whiteners and hot foods, cleaning your teeth and visiting your dentist regularly.

Learn more at:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317689.php

Posted by adwords on 5th July 2017, under Miscellaneous

Dr. Kishanie Wijesinghe Little BDS

Dr. Kishanie Little is passionate about delivering excellent dentistry and dental restorations that are life-like and indistinguishable from natural teeth. She believes that restorations (fillings/crowns/veneers) should look beautiful – and that they should last. Dr. Little keeps abreast of new developments in restorative dentistry through post-graduate training.

Dr. Little is also an experienced Facial Aesthetistician, including Botulinum toxins (such as Botox) and Dermafillers. She appreciates how simple and subtle changes to smooth and relax muscles can “freshen” a face, to look younger.

In her personal time, she loves to cook, read, run, practice yoga and pilates, play a bad game of tennis and am now learning to play golf. She loves Art and Theatre and support the Tate Modern. She also enjoys writing and has a book in the works.