BETWEEN CHEEK & GUM

Just a pinch between your cheek and gum can cause a condition called leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is a white or gray patch of thick and slightly raised soft tissue that usually appears on the tongue, gums or the inside of the cheek.
Tobacco users who hold a wad of tobacco in the mouth for long periods of time or smoke a pipe are at high risk of developing leukoplakia. It can take weeks or months for the patch to develop. Although it is painless, it might become sensitive when touched or to hot and spicy foods.
Fortunately, the condition usually resolves itself when the irritation is removed; however, sometimes, we must perform surgery to remove the patch. Leukoplakia can progress into oral cancer or remain as a pre-cancerous lesion if left unchecked.

Non-tobacco users aren’t off the hook for leukoplakia though. Along with smoked or smokeless tobacco, leukoplakia can result from other irritation caused by a broken tooth; a poorly fitting denture; rough spots on a filling, crown or tooth and chewing the inside of your cheek.
Identifying conditions such as leukoplakia when they are in their early stage is very important, which is one reason why we recommend bi-yearly dental check-ups. However, you should see us immediately if you have something out of the ordinary in your mouth. The earlier we make a diagnosis, the quicker we can restore your health.