Leukoplakia is a condition that causes white or gray patches inside your mouth. They are painless patches that may occur due to irritation in your mouth. People with this condition have an increased risk of getting oral cancer. Healthcare providers treat the condition with surgical means to remove the patches. There are two types of Leukoplakia, Homogeneous Leukoplakia and Non-Homogeneous Leukoplakia. Let us delve into the diagnosis and treatment pattern of this condition.
Diagnosis
You will often be told to visit your dentist at least once a month for screening and treatment. During this normal visit, your dentist is going to consider examining your mouth and body. For diagnosis of this condition, the dentist will examine the patches in your mouth, attempting to wipe off the white patches. They may also discuss your medical history and the risk factors that are associated with it. The doctor might also test for early signs of cancer by oral brush biopsy or excisional biopsy.
Oral brush biopsy is a non-invasive procedure that involves removing the cells on a site with a small spinning brush. Excisional biopsy on the other hand involves surgically removing the tissue from the patch or the entire patch for a more comprehensive and definitive diagnosis. If the tests come out positive for cancer, the doctor will perform the necessary procedures that may involve the following.
Treatment
Leukoplakia treatment is easier when the lesion is diagnosed and treated early. This emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups. For most people, stopping alcohol or smoking tobacco might help in clearing the condition.
Other treatment procedures include the removal of the Leukoplakia patch. They may be removed using a scalpel, or a laser on a cold probe that freezes and destroys the cryoprobe (cancer cells).
Your doctor might also recommend medications that suppress the virus. Follow-up visits are important to help the doctors to check on the results. Book an appointment with us today, for the benefit of your oral health tomorrow.