White and red lesions in the mouth may be oral mucosal disease

서울오브치과병원 서울특별시 송파구 백제고분로 196 4층, 5층

Hello! This is Seoul Ob Dental Hospital.

When white or red lesions appear in the mouth,

if there is little to no pain or they persist for a long time,

many people tend to dismiss them as nothing serious.

Changes that occur on the lining of the mouth

can include a wide range of possibilities,

from a simple wound to oral mucosal disease and, rarely,

initial changes related to oral cancer,

so caution is needed.

In particular, lesions that do not heal for more than 2 weeks

should be properly diagnosed at least once.

What is oral mucosal disease?

Oral mucosal disease

is a general term for

all inflammatory and degenerative lesions

that occur on the lining of the mouth.

It can occur anywhere in the mouth,

including the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, palate, and inner lips.

Common oral mucosal diseases include

white-appearing lesions, reddened mucosa,

and roughened or thickened areas.

Most are benign conditions,

but some may require attention if left untreated for a long time.

Why do white lesions appear in the mouth?

White-appearing lesions in the mouth

can have a variety of causes,

ranging from simple frictional keratosis to inflammatory lesions.

If the mucosa is repeatedly rubbed by a toothbrush or teeth,

or if it is irritated by smoking or drinking habits,

a white, thickened lesion may appear.

These lesions

do not come off easily even if scraped,

and because they often cause little to no pain, they can be left unattended.

However, if they persist for a long time,

it is necessary to check the condition of the mucosa.

Red lesions or wounds that do not heal well also require caution.

If the oral mucosa becomes unusually red,

or if something that looks like a small wound does not heal for a long time,

it may also be a form of oral mucosal disease.

If the size gradually increases,

if it bleeds easily on the surface,

or if it feels firm to the touch,

you should consider the possibility that it is not a simple inflammation.

What do the early symptoms of oral cancer look like?

In the early stages of oral cancer,

it often begins without clear pain.

So by the time symptoms are noticed,

quite some time may have already passed.

In the early stage,

it may appear as a white or red lesion in the mouth,

a sore that does not heal,

or a lump that can be felt inside the mouth.

Not all lesions are oral cancer,

but it is important to remember that oral cancer can also

begin as a change in the oral mucosa.

In these cases, medical evaluation is essential.

If any of the following apply,

it is better to receive an accurate diagnosis

rather than simply observe the condition.

1. The lesion in the mouth does not heal for more than 2 weeks

2. A white or red lesion

   gradually gets larger

3. There is no pain, but it feels firm to the touch

4. The lesion repeatedly appears in the same area

5. There is a smoking or drinking habit

Early diagnosis

can reduce unnecessary worry,

and if treatment is needed, it can also help bring the treatment time forward.

How is oral mucosal disease diagnosed?

Oral mucosal disease

is initially evaluated through visual inspection and palpation.

A judgment is made by considering the lesion’s shape, color, size, border, and texture in combination,

and if necessary, a tissue biopsy is performed

to make an accurate diagnosis.

A tissue biopsy

is not performed for every lesion,

and is carried out selectively when suspicious findings are present.

It is important not to dismiss changes in the mouth lightly.

The oral mucosa is an area

where even small changes can be observed relatively well.

However, many people leave changes unattended for a long time

because there is no pain.

If you have a white or red lesion in the mouth,

a sore that does not heal well,

don’t just worry—instead, it is important to check it accurately.

The earlier oral mucosal disease and oral cancer are found,

the wider the options for management and treatment can be.