Oral Lichen Planus Causes
Other People Are Reading
-
The Condition
-
Oral Lichen Planus is a chronic inflammation disease, whose symptoms include white stripes or spots in the interior of the mouth. It generally occurs in adults over 40, though the prevalence of the disease is not well known. In some areas worldwide it is suspected to effect up to 2 percent of the population. OLP has a low mortality rate though smoking can cause it to develop into cancer of the mouth. Also, some patients develop lesions outside of the mouth. Oral Lichen Planus has been linked to causes both inside and outside the body. As of 2009, there is no cure for OLP, according to EMedicine.
The most common theory of what causes OLP is immune system dysfunction. According to EMedicine, "oral lichen planus is a T-cell--mediated autoimmune disease in which autocytotoxic CD8+ T cells trigger the apoptosis of oral epithelial cells." Essentially the immune system attacks the cells inside the mouth causing them to turn white. Topical corticosteroids are used in treatment.
Dental Work and Disease
-
Dental conditions such as "sharp teeth or broken restorations or prostheses that cause trauma or erosion should be repaired" as they may cause symptoms, according to The Mayo Clinic. It has also been linked as an allergic reaction to the dental amalgam resin and toothpaste. Skin patch tests are used to identify any allergies, and problems with OLP tend to clear up once the offending substance or object is removed.
Though the link between OLP and systemic diseases may be a coincidence, the fact that a number of the medications used to treat systemic diseases actually does not cause OLP. Sufferers are asked to look at NSAIDs, beta blockers, sulfonylureas, some ACE inhibitors and some antimalarials as possible causes for OLP.
-
Suspected Causes
-
There have been several other causes for OLP suggested, which includes C. Albicans bacteria, human papillomavirus, chewing betel quid; however, no significant causal link has been proven.
Treatment of the disease is meant solely to increase the amount of time patients have between painful symptoms and lessens the likelihood of OLP turning into oral cancer.
-
