When you’re experiencing discomfort, pain, and other symptoms in the oral cavity, you may have an undiagnosed oral health concern. The discomfort on its own is enough to make us anxious, but when it’s accompanied by bleeding gums or burning sensations, it can be truly worrisome. While tooth decay and gum disease are commonly encountered in the dental industry, others are rarer. One example is Oral Lichens Planus, an inflammatory condition impacting the oral mucosa. Learn more about this condition and its implications for your lasting oral health with Countryside Smiles.
Identification And Diagnosis of Oral Lichen Planus
The oral mucosa are the mucous membranes within our oral cavity and are where symptoms of oral lichen planus take hold. Identifying oral lichen planus typically starts when patients report symptoms that point to this condition. Those with certain autoimmune diseases are more prone to developing OLP than those without it. The first visible sign of oral lichen planus is lacy white patches forming in the mucous membranes of the mouth. As it advances, open sores and swollen red tissues may be evident.
Oral lichen planus symptoms include the following:
- Patches or fine white lines within the oral cavity
- Open sores or ulcers
- Dry mouth or feelings of dryness
- Burning sensations within the mouth
- Red, inflamed tissues in the oral cavity
We encourage anyone who’s experiencing symptoms like these to make a point of visiting our clinic. These symptoms point to oral health concerns that need immediate attention, including the potential for oral lichen planus. While OLP cannot be cured, it is possible to treat and effectively manage its associated symptoms.
As the condition cannot be cured, the primary approach used with treatment is to ensure that the discomfort caused by it can be managed. In addition, managing the condition helps prevent its advance and potential complications that can occur alongside it. Some of the approaches to mitigating symptoms include:
- Alteration of dietary habits
- Lifestyle changes
- Management of stress
- Pharmaceutical treatments
There are several known causes of oral lichen planus. The most common concern is patients with an autoimmune disorder such as Type 1 Diabetes. However, oral infections, medications, and injuries can also play a role. Another factor often seen in cases of oral lichen planus is allergic reactions to food or other substances. Part of your treatment process will be identifying what causes your symptoms to become more severe.
Contact Countryside Smiles For Oral Lichen Planus Care
Our team is dedicated to ensuring that our patient’s oral health needs are met effectively and quickly. We know that living with dental diseases can be both painful and debilitating, impacting our ability to speak, eat, and socialize comfortably. If you’re ready to start protecting your oral health with our team, reach out to our offices at (972) 957-7610. You can also stop by our clinic in Murphy, TX. We’ll offer a tour of the facility and introduce you to our team and discuss how we can help you meet your oral health goals and find relief from existing conditions.
