Plantis Lichen Mouth Disease
Lichen plantis or planus is a condition that causes inflammation of the lining in your mouth. While lichen planus is a common skin disease, it affects the mouth less frequently, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
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Causes
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Lichen planus is an auto-immune disorder, meaning that it occurs because your immune system attacks the lining in your mouth. Doctors do not understand why this occurs in some people but not others, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Types of Symptoms
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Symptoms of Lichen planus in your mouth include bumps that form a lace-like pattern on the inside of your cheeks, shiny red patches on your tongue or cheeks, open sores, pain or burning, dry mouth, sore gums, sensitivity to hot or spicy food, a metallic taste or bleeding when you brush your teeth.
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Time Frame
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Although oral lichen planus is most likely to develop during your 40s or 50s, it can occur during any time in your life, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms are likely to come and go erratically throughout your life.
Treatment
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If your symptoms are minor, lichen planus does not require treatment. For more severe symptoms, corticosteroid ointments, medicated mouth rinses and immunosuppressant medications are the most common forms of treatment.
Risks
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There is a slight increased risk for the development in mouth cancer in people with oral lichen planus. Patients with planus lichen mouth disease also are prone to fungal infections known as oral thrush.
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