Overview
Oral lichen planus is a long-term (chronic) disease that affects the inside your mouth. Technically, lichen planus can develop on your skin or anywhere you have mucosa. (Mucosa is the thin layer of tissue that lines certain body parts, like your nose, mouth, stomach and lungs.) But when lichen planus appears in your mouth, it’s called oral lichen planus.
You can get oral lichen planus on your:
- Inner cheeks.
- Gums.
- Tongue.
Oral lichen planus vs leukoplakia: What’s the difference?
Leukoplakia and oral lichen planus are both disorders that affect the mucosa inside your mouth. Both conditions can cause white discoloration on your inner cheeks, gums and sometimes tongue. But these two disorders are very different:
- Oral lichen planus: Oral lichen planus results in white, lacy, thread-like lesions or bright red gum tissue. The cause isn’t fully understood, but there may be a connection to autoimmune diseases.
- Leukoplakia: Leukoplakia results in thick, white patches. Other symptoms include mouth sores and a white tongue. This condition could be the result of heavy smoking, chewing tobacco or heavy alcohol use. Unlike oral lichen planus, leukoplakia is more likely to turn into oral cancer.
Who does oral lichen planus affect?
Anyone can develop oral lichen planus. Women and people assigned female at birth are twice as likely as men and people assigned male at birth to develop the condition. Most cases of oral lichen planus occur in adults over the age of 50.
How common is oral lichen planus?
The skin and oral types of lichen planus together affect an estimated 2% of the population.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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