Symptoms

In some cases, leukoplakia resembles oral thrush , an infection also associated with HIV/AIDS and lowered immune function. Leukoplakia is usually harmless, but sometimes leads to cancer. If you have any of these symptoms for more than a week, see your dentist or doctor:

• Lesion on the tongue or gums, inside of the cheeks, or on the vulva
  • White, gray, or red in color
  • Thick, slightly raised, or hardened surface

  Oral Thrush—Resembles Leukoplakia

  

  © 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

• Sensitivity to touch, heat, or spicy foods
• Pain or other signs of infection in chronic cases
• With hairy leukoplakia: painless and fuzzy, white appearance

Diagnosis

In most cases, a dentist can diagnose leukoplakia with a mouth exam. To confirm a diagnosis or to check for cancer, an oral brush biopsy may be needed. This involves removing some cells with a small brush. It takes only minutes and is painless. A pathologist then checks these cells for signs of cancer. Sometimes the dentist uses a scalpel to remove cells after numbing the area.