White Spots in Mouth

What is a White Spot in the Mouth?

It can be pretty daunting for individuals to see some white spots in their mouths. The white spot itself is the main problem and this can only be one of the symptoms of a more serious underlying condition. The spot can be present solitarily and this may also appear in groups or clusters. White spots may also affect the different aspects of the mouth. People should not just disregard the presence of white spots in the mouth because this may be a forewarning sign of something threatening to one’s health. Having white spots in mouth is something that individuals should acquaint themselves of. This article aims to present to you some important facts about white spots in the mouth.

Causes of White Spots in Mouth

You really don’t have to freak out when you have noticed some white spots in the mouth as these can be caused by a number of conditions that can either be benign or severe. Whatever the exact cause is, this should be given the proper attention. Below are some of the possible causes of having white spots in the mouth.

Fungal Infection

One of the most common causes of having white spots in the mouth is a possible fungal infection and Candida albicans can be one of the major culprits. White spots in the mouth are sometimes referred to as oral thrush. Oral thrush normally develops in people who have a compromised immune system. People who wear poorly fitted dentures are also at risk of developing white spots in the mouth. You might also see white spots even in the mouths of babies.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia can be a serious cause of white spots in the mouth as this is considered precancerous. Those who frequently chew or smoke tobacco are at risk of developing leukoplakia. You may ask how it is possible to distinguish leukoplakia from oral thrush. The main difference between leukoplakia and oral thrush is that people who have leukoplakia often remain asymptomatic. Aside from that, the white spots in leukoplakia cannot also be easily removed by any means.

Lichen Planus

Another common cause of the presence of white spots in the mouth is a condition called lichen planus. The spots in lichen planus have this spider-like appearance. To date, health experts are not still able to pinpoint the exact cause of the appearance of white spots in the mouth. However, recently this has been linked with certain forms of allergies, nutritional deficiencies and even tobacco smoking or chewing.

These are just some of the possible causes of white spots in the mouth. There are still other conditions that may give rise to the appearance of white spots in the mouth. The bottom line is that, you should immediately consult your doctor so as to determine the exact cause of the white spots in the mouth.

Treatment

The treatment for white spots in mouth is variable. This would actually depend on the underlying cause. There’s no generalized treatment for it. More specifically, the following treatments may be involved:

Antifungal

This medication is specifically prescribed to people who have oral thrush so as to eliminate the causative agent. The treatment can be in a form of an oral solution or an ointment and other topical agents.

Adjustment of Dentures

When it’s primarily your dentures that’s causing you the problem then you should go to your dentist to have it adjusted.

Quit smoking

Tobacco can be extremely irritating to your mouth and can possibly lead to the development of leukoplakia. So as to avert from developing such condition, you should curtail the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco. Your doctor may alongside give you other medications to bring relief to your condition.

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