Condition Lookup

Aphthous ulcers, commonly known as canker sores, are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues inside the mouth or at the base of the gums.

Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders

Symptoms:
painful round or oval sores with a white or yellow center and a red border; burning or tingling sensation before the sore appears; difficulty eating or speaking; occasionally accompanied by fever or swollen lymph nodes in severe cases

Root Cause:
Likely multifactorial; involves immune system dysregulation, local trauma, stress, hormonal changes, or nutritional deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B12, iron, or folate).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical examination; no specific diagnostic tests are usually required unless systemic diseases are suspected.

Treatment:
Focuses on symptom relief and promoting healing; includes topical treatments and addressing underlying triggers.

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., triamcinolone acetonide ), antimicrobial mouth rinses (e.g., chlorhexidine gluconate), anesthetics (e.g., benzocaine or lidocaine ), and systemic corticosteroids in severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 20% of the population; more common in adolescents and young adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, stress, hormonal fluctuations, immune disorders, and dietary deficiencies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Self-limiting; most ulcers heal within 1–2 weeks without scarring.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe or recurrent ulcers may impair nutrition and quality of life; rarely, they may indicate systemic diseases such as Behçet’s disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth.

Specialty: Dental and Oral Health

Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders

Sub-category: Mucosal Lesions

Symptoms:
white, lacy patches (reticular form); red, swollen tissues (erosive form); pain, burning, or sensitivity to spicy or acidic foods; open sores or ulcers in the mouth

Root Cause:
An autoimmune disorder where T cells attack the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, biopsy of affected tissue, and sometimes immunofluorescence testing.

Treatment:
Symptom management and inflammation reduction with topical or systemic medications.

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., clobetasol or fluocinonide ), systemic corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone for severe cases), and immunosuppressive agents (e.g., tacrolimus ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1–2% of the population, more common in middle-aged and older adults, and women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Autoimmune disorders, stress, dental fillings (rarely linked), and genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic and relapsing but manageable; low risk of malignant transformation (erosive forms may have a slightly higher risk).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Painful erosions, secondary infections (e.g., candidiasis), difficulty eating, and rare progression to oral cancer.

Oral leukoplakia is a white patch or plaque that develops on the mucous membranes of the mouth.

Specialty: Dental and Oral Health

Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders

Sub-category: Mucosal Lesions

Symptoms:
white, thickened, and irregularly shaped patches in the mouth; patches cannot be scraped off; may be painless or cause mild discomfort; occasionally associated with burning sensation

Root Cause:
Chronic irritation, tobacco or alcohol use, or exposure to irritants; considered a potentially malignant disorder.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, exclusion of other causes (e.g., fungal infection), and biopsy to assess for dysplasia or cancer.

Treatment:
Elimination of irritants, regular monitoring, and surgical excision if dysplasia is present.

Medications:
No specific medication; in some cases, retinoids or beta-carotene supplements are used to manage lesions.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1–2% of the global population; more common in older adults and smokers.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Tobacco use (both smoking and chewing), alcohol consumption, and chronic irritation.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with early intervention; however, some lesions may progress to squamous cell carcinoma.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Malignant transformation (occurs in 5–17% of cases over time).

Erythroplakia is a red patch on the mucous membranes of the mouth with a high risk of malignant transformation.

Specialty: Dental and Oral Health

Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders

Sub-category: Mucosal Lesions

Symptoms:
velvety red lesions that cannot be scraped off; may be asymptomatic or cause mild discomfort; occasionally associated with burning or irritation

Root Cause:
Chronic irritation or exposure to carcinogens, leading to dysplastic changes in epithelial cells.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, exclusion of other conditions, and biopsy to confirm dysplasia or carcinoma.

Treatment:
Surgical excision or laser ablation, along with eliminating risk factors.

Medications:
No direct medications; supportive care may include topical agents to relieve irritation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an estimated prevalence of 0.1–0.2%; more common in smokers and older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Tobacco and alcohol use, poor oral hygiene, and nutritional deficiencies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor if untreated due to high risk of malignant transformation (51–90%).

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to squamous cell carcinoma.

Geographic tongue is a benign inflammatory condition characterized by irregular, map-like patches on the tongue.

Specialty: Dental and Oral Health

Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders

Sub-category: Mucosal Lesions

Symptoms:
smooth, red patches with raised white borders; patches may change size, shape, or location; occasionally associated with burning or sensitivity to spicy or acidic foods

Root Cause:
Unknown; thought to involve genetic predisposition or immune-mediated processes.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on characteristic appearance during clinical examination; no biopsy is usually necessary.

Treatment:
No specific treatment required; symptomatic relief if discomfort occurs.

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., triamcinolone ) or antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine ) for symptomatic cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1–3% of the population; more common in women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, psoriasis, and stress.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Completely benign with no risk of malignant transformation.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; persistent discomfort in some cases.

Oral hyperkeratosis is an excessive thickening of the oral epithelium due to chronic irritation.

Specialty: Dental and Oral Health

Category: Oral Cavity and Mucosal Disorders

Sub-category: Mucosal Lesions

Symptoms:
thickened, white plaques or patches in the mouth; typically painless; associated with rough textures in affected areas

Root Cause:
Hyperkeratosis is a response to repeated trauma, irritation, or friction (e.g., from dental appliances or smoking).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination and biopsy to rule out dysplasia or malignancy.

Treatment:
Removal of the underlying irritant, improved oral hygiene, and monitoring for changes.

Medications:
None directly, though topical corticosteroids may be used if inflammation is present.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Not well-studied; common in populations exposed to chronic irritants like tobacco.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic irritation, poorly fitting dental appliances, and smoking.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with removal of irritants; rarely progresses to malignancy.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent lesions may require surgical excision if changes occur.