White, web-like lesions inside the mouth? Let's learn about Oral Lichen Planus!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed white, spider-web-like sores inside your mouth, on the sides of your cheeks, or on your tongue? Maybe your gums bleed and hurt when you brush your teeth or eat spicy food. It's normal to feel a little scared when you see something like this. But don't panic. Today we're talking about a condition that may be causing this, and one that's not very well known to many people, but is important to know about. That's Oral Lichen Planus (OLP).

Simply put, what is Oral Lichen Planus (OLP)?

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation inside your mouth. Normally, our bodies produce inflammation to fight off an infection and heal wounds. But in OLP, something a little different happens. What happens here is that our body's defense system, the immune system, mistakenly attacks the delicate lining (mucosa) inside our own mouth. Simply put, it's like our own defenses are attacking a part of our own body.

Therefore, if you have these symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor for advice. Although there is no complete cure for this, there are very good treatments that can control the symptoms and provide relief.

There are two main types of OLPs.

This condition is not the same for everyone. We can mainly identify two types.

Do you also have these symptoms?

Symptoms can vary depending on which type you have. Sometimes these symptoms come and go, either on their own or with treatment, after a while. They can also come back after a while.

• White, spider-web-like lesions on the inside of the cheeks or on the tongue.
• White spots on the tongue or gums.
• Painful ulcers on the gums, tongue, or palate.
• Bright red, swollen gums.
• Mild to severe pain when brushing your teeth, especially when eating sour, spicy, salty, or hard foods .

Some people may have oral OLP as well as a skin condition called Lichen Planus, which causes itchy, scaly patches on the skin, genitals, or scalp.

Why does this happen? What are the reasons?

In fact, doctors still don't know exactly what causes OLP. But we do know that it is related to the way our immune system works. As mentioned earlier, our own immune cells attack the lining of our mouths.

In some cases, this condition can arise or worsen due to certain things.

Triggers

• Allergies: Allergies to certain foods, toothpaste, flavorings in toothpaste (e.g. mint, cinnamon), or materials used in dental treatments.
• Oral problems: Frequent damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth due to things like misaligned teeth and sharp-edged teeth.
• Some medications: Some medications such as painkillers (NSAIDs), some high blood pressure medications (Beta-blockers), and some antifungals.
• Mouth injuries: Things like accidentally biting your cheek.
• Stress and Anxiety: This is a very important factor. Many people know from experience that when stress increases, OLP symptoms also increase.
• Certain medical conditions: It has been found that there is a link between the occurrence of OLP and conditions such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Women are three to four times more likely to develop this condition than men. It usually occurs most often in people between the ages of 30 and 70.

What are the possible complications of OLP?

OLP is not usually a dangerous condition, but there are a few things to be aware of.

1. Difficulty eating: If pain makes it difficult to eat, over time, weight loss and nutritional deficiencies may occur.

2. Infections: When mouth sores develop, the risk of bacterial or yeast infections (e.g., thrush) increases.

3. Risk of oral cancer: This is the one that many people are afraid of. Research has shown that a very small percentage of people with OLP, between 1% and 4%, have a risk of developing oral cancer. This risk is slightly higher in people with erosive OLP (the painful, ulcerating type).

How does a doctor recognize this? And what are the treatments?

When you go to the doctor, he or she will examine your mouth carefully. Most of the time, you can recognize OLP as soon as you see the symptoms. However, sometimes, to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions (such as yeast infections or leukoplakia), a very small piece of tissue from the sore may be taken for testing (a biopsy) .

The main goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and provide you with relief. If you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort, you may not need any treatment.

Medications

• Corticosteroids: These are the most commonly used. They can be applied as a gel or ointment to the lesions. If these do not control the condition, they can also be given as oral tablets or injections. These work by controlling the overactivity of the immune system and reducing inflammation.
• Calcineurin inhibitors: If corticosteroids fail to work, this type of medication (in the form of a cream) may be recommended.
• Painkillers: To control pain, you can give general painkillers or numbing liquids such as Lidocaine.

Things we can do ourselves (Lifestyle changes)

Like medication, small changes in our daily lives can go a long way in controlling these symptoms.

• Reduce spicy, sour, salty, and hard foods (e.g., biscuits, chips) as much as possible.
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol completely. These further irritate the mucous membranes in your mouth.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush .
• Use a mild toothpaste without strong flavors (mint, cinnamon).
• Manage stress . Things like meditation, yoga, and engaging in a hobby of your choice can be very helpful.
• If you suspect that any medication you are taking is causing this condition, talk to your doctor about it. Never stop taking medication without your doctor's advice.

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