Suggest Treatment For Small White Lesions On The Gums

Posted on Tue, 14 Feb 2017

Question: Hello doctor , I went to brush my teeth ( i have a bad oral hygiene ) and I freaked out ! i noticed multiple small white lesions ( looks like small ulcers ) on the inner side of my cheeks infant of my molars.

They are totally painless , and i don’t know how long i have had them because i just noticed them few minutes before i write this for you .

Please see the pictures and let me know if there is anything serious.

Please know that I’m a smoker and i have nothing significant in my medical history.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like hyperkeratosis..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for writing to us..

I have evaluated your images and according to your description and images attached it is appearing like excessive keratin deposition over the buccal mucosa leading to Hyperkeratosis..

It can be due to smoking as well as cheek biting..
If there is any sharp edges of teeth present they can also rub against the cheek mucosa causing Hyperkeratosis..

It is a harmless condition and is just a protective mechanism of body to protect the delicate mucosa from damage...

It doesn't need any specific treatment and will resolve gradually when the irritating factors are eliminated..

But for confirmation you should consult an Oral Physician and get a clinical examination done and if needed a microscopy of scrapings from the patches and/or histopathological examination can be done for confirmation...

Please write back for further queries..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Thanks doctor for your prompt reply . That soothes my worries . I was worried about cancer/ infection.

I sent the pictures to a dentist and she said that they are fordyce granules and they are harmless.

What do you think ?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, Fordyce's frames are harmless..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome back..

In case if it is Fordyce's granules that is hypertrophied sebaceous glands then also you need not to worry as Yes, they are harmless and no treatment is required for the same..

Please revert back for further queries..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (4 hours later)

Thank you doctor .
I mean do u agree with the other dentist that it is not something that i should worry about and fordyce granule could be the case ?

If it's either keratin or fordyce granule i will be fine .. hope there is no other dangerous possibility

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, nothing to worry..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome back..

As per your query, yes in either case, you need not to worry as there is nothing serious in both conditions...

Therefore, do not worry about it..

Hope this helps..

Regards.

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng