Leukoplakia - Causes of leukoplakia

The exact cause of leukoplakia is unknown, but may be the result of substances irritating the tissue inside the mouth.

Scientific evidence, though weak, has identified a number of things that can increase your risk of developing the condition. These are described below.

Tobacco

Tobacco significantly increases your risk of developing leukoplakia. Smokers are much more likely to get leukoplakia than non-smokers.

There is an even higher risk for people who use smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, or betel nut preparations, such as paan.

Studies have shown regular users of betel nuts are 25 times more likely to develop leukoplakia than non-users.

Alcohol

After tobacco, heavy alcohol use is the second most important reason for increased risk of leukoplakia. Heavy drinkers are eight times more likely to develop leukoplakia than non-drinkers.

Heavy drinking is defined as drinking more than the recommended weekly limit for alcohol consumption, which is 21 units for men and 14 units for women.

A unit of alcohol is approximately half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a single measure (25ml) of spirits.

Read more about alcohol units.

Binge drinking may also increase your risk of developing leukoplakia or mouth cancer.

Other possible risk factors

There are no other consistent risk factors for leukoplakia.

However, infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) has been suggested as a possible risk factor for leukoplakia. Any link between these two conditions is currently being investigated.

A long-lasting (chronic) infection of the mouth with a type of fungus called Candida can also increase the risk of leukoplakia. Cases where the condition is associated with this infection are often called Candidal leukoplakia.

White patches may sometimes occur if people have a habit of biting their cheeks or dragging their lips across the teeth. Similarly, poorly fitting dentures that rub the lining of the mouth can cause thickened areas that appear as white patches.

However, these white patches are not considered to be leukoplakia as, unlike leukoplakia, they have a clear cause and do not have a risk of developing into mouth cancer.