How to Cure Cheek Leukoplakia
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Smokeless tobacco users have the highest rate of leukoplakia.tobacco image by FJ Medrano from Fotolia.com
Stop smoking or using chew. Leukoplakia is also known as smoker's keratosis. Although the exact cause of leukoplakia is unknown, tobacco users are at much greater risk of developing the condition than other populations. People who hold chew in their cheeks and pipe smokers have the highest risk of developing cheek leukoplakia. Three out of four smokeless tobacco users develop cheek leukoplakia, according to Tampa Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. - 2
Alcohol use is linked to leukoplakia.alcoholic drink image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
Stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol use is a source of chronic irritation in the mouth. A 2000 study published in the "International Journal of Cancer" found that among randomized participants in an oral cancer screening in Kerala, India, drinking alcohol was a significant independent risk factor for developing leukoplakia among nonsmokers. - 3
Roughened teeth or fillings irritate the mouth lining.dental image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com
Take care of dental work. Dental irritants such as roughened teeth or dentures and rough spots on fillings and crowns were thought to contribute to leukoplakia, according to MedlinePlus and the Tampa specialists. The Mayo Clinic reports, however, that the current medical opinion is that these problems aren't behind leukoplakia. Because the jury is out, it's probably in your best interest to take care of dental irritants to help cure cheek leukoplakia. - 4
Lesions can be removed on an outpatient basis.Zahnarztpraxis image by R.-Andreas Klein from Fotolia.com
Get tested. Your health care provider can test your lesions to see if they're cancerous. You may need surgery to remove the lesions, cancerous or otherwise. Your provider can use local anesthesia and a cold probe, laser or scalpel to remove the lesions. - 5
Eat fruits and vegetables to prevent leukoplakia.fruit and vegetables on a pile studio isolated image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
Eat your fruits and veggies. Preliminary research suggests that Vitamins A and E may help cure cheek leukoplakia, the Tampa specialists report, but Vitamin A derivatives can cause side effects so you should only use them under the guidance of a health care provider. Beta carotene is a precursor to Vitamin A found in many fruits and vegetables and may be a safer route to resolve cheek leukoplakia. Beta carotene is found in dark yellow, orange and green fruits and vegetables.
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