### What is Leukoplakia? Leukoplakia causes white, red, or gray patches on your tongue, the inside of your cheek, or on the floor of your mouth. It’s usually your body's reaction to irritation of your mouth tissues. Leukoplakia can happen at any time in your life, but it's more common in older adults. It's usually harmless, but sometimes it may lead to mouth cancer. So it's important to see your doctor for a diagnosis and proper treatment. ### Leukoplakia vs. Thrush Leukoplakia is often mistaken for thrush, but they aren't the same thing. Thrush is a fungal infection caused by candida yeast. It shows up as white spots in your mouth that can be wiped away, leaving red and sometimes bleeding areas underneath. Discolored patches on the inside of your mouth that you can't scrape away are the main symptom of leukoplakia. ### Types of Leukoplakia - **Homogenous leukoplakia**: Patches are relatively even in color and texture. It usually doesn't lead to oral cancer. - **Non-homogenous leukoplakia**: Patches are more oddly shaped and may be white or red, flat, or with a raised surface. This type is less common and more likely to become mouth cancer. - **Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL)**: Patches are small and white, may grow quickly, and have a bumpy or lumpy surface. This type may become oral cancer in more than 60% of people who have it. - **Hairy leukoplakia**: Patches look white and fuzzy, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and usually affect people with a weakened immune system. It's normally painless and noncancerous. ### Symptoms and Causes Leukoplakia patches on your tongue, gums, roof of your mouth, or the inside of your cheeks may be: - Painless but sensitive to touch, heat, spicy foods, or other irritation. - Unable to be wiped away, changing slowly over weeks to months. ### Diagnosis Your doctor or dentist will look at your mouth and try to figure out what's causing your symptoms. If they think it might be leukoplakia, they may take a sample of your mouth tissue for testing in what's called a biopsy. There are two methods: - **Oral brush biopsy**: Noninvasive, using a spinning brush to remove cells from patches. - **Excisional biopsy**: Part of a patch or a whole patch may be removed with surgery. This method is usually more accurate. ### Treatment Removing the source of irritation often makes leukoplakia go away. For example, smoothing a rough tooth or repairing dental appliances. If caused by smoking, cutting back or stopping smoking can help. If that doesn't work, the lesion may need to be removed with a scalpel, laser, or by freezing. Hairy leukoplakia usually doesn't need special treatment, but your doctor may look for ways to boost your immune system or give you an antiviral drug. ### Prevention The best way to prevent leukoplakia is to avoid things that may cause it. Look out for anything that can irritate or damage the tissues of your mouth, and take good care of your teeth and gums. Try these tips: - See your dentist or doctor if you have any concerns.