Hi , is your mom a smoker , chews tabbacco & consumes alcohol ? as these are the most common causes for leukoplakia & may be confused with oral candidiasis or lichen planus. The lesions of leukoplakia cannot be rubbed off which rules out the condition. Frankly speaking you first need confirmed diagnosis as leukoplakia is a premalignant lesion, i.e. in which cancer is more likely to occur with chance of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Most of oral leukoplakias will not turn malignant, however some hold greater risk than than others. No interventions have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer developing in an area of leukoplakia,but if stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption to reduce her risk. Sometimes the white patch will shrink and eventually disappear after stopping smoking,but this may take up to a year.Management usually involves regular check of the lesion to detect any possible malignant change early.