Lichen planus can appear in the mouth in several different patterns. The reticular pattern (see right) is commonly found on the cheeks as lacy web-like, white threads that are slightly raised. These lines are sometimes referred to as Wickham's Striae.
Poor oral hygiene, stress, dry mouth, and hormonal changes are common causes of oral thrush and the associated white stringy mucus. Effective treatment options for white stringy stuff include over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as natural remedies.
Cheek biting most commonly causes linea alba on the cheek. You might have bitten your cheek occasionally while eating. Though it hurts initially, a cheek bite often heals without any remaining signs of injury. However, if you continually irritate your cheek, keratin deposits will form a white line.
Tonsil stones are formed by debris that can build up in your tonsils. Most tonsil stones are small, usually under 5mm across. The glands contain folds known as tonsillar crypts (folds). If your tonsillar crypts are enlarged, minerals such as calcium can become trapped, and calcify (harden) into stones.
Signs and symptoms
Typically, the lesions of frictional keratosis appear as distinct, focal, and translucent-to-opaque white asymptomatic patches with sharply delineated borders. One of the more common presentations is the linea alba (white line).
Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the mucous membranes inside your mouth. Symptoms include white patches or lacy threads on the inside of your cheeks. Or, your oral tissues may be bright red in some areas.
Leukoplakia. Leukoplakia appears as thick, white patches on the inside surfaces of the mouth. It has several possible causes, including repeated injury or irritation. It also can be a sign of mouth cancer or a sign of changes that could lead to cancer.
Tonsil stones form when bacteria and debris get stuck in those gaps and harden. Tonsil stones look like white or yellow pebbles on your tonsils. They can cause bad breath, a sore throat, a bad taste in your mouth, and ear pain.
Oral linea alba refers to a white line or ridge that can appear on the inside of the cheeks or along the inner surface of the lips. It is a benign condition resulting from the thickening of the epithelial tissue, likely due to frictional irritation or pressure from habitual biting or chewing of the oral tissues.
Fibromas are round, smooth, firm lumps that occur in the mouth. They are most common in the inner linings of the cheeks (the buccal mucosa) and lips (the labial mucosa). They can be removed with surgery.
Oral lichen planus (LIE-kun PLAY-nus) is an ongoing inflammatory condition that affects mucous membranes inside the mouth. There are several different types of lichen planus that affect the mouth, but the two main types are: Reticular. This type appears as white patches in the mouth and can look lacy.
Oral leukoplakia is a potentially malignant disorder affecting the oral mucosa. It is defined as “essentially an oral mucosal white lesion that cannot be considered as any other definable lesion.” Oral leukoplakia is a white patch or plaque that develops in the oral cavity and is strongly associated with smoking.
Biotene is the best toothpaste of choice for people with soft tissue disorders that make the inside of the mouth burn or tingle. This includes burning mouth syndrome, lichen planus, dry mouth, geographic tongue, and others. Biotene is safe for anyone to use at any time. It is mild and hypoallergenic.
Lichen planus can appear in the mouth in several different patterns. The reticular pattern (see right) is commonly found on the cheeks as lacy web-like, white threads that are slightly raised. These lines are sometimes referred to as Wickham's Striae.
A yeast infection on your lips and mouth is caused by a common fungus called Candida albicans . The infection, also known as oral thrush or orolabial candidiasis , causes creamy white patches on the lips that can extend into your mouth, tongue, and throat. Lip cracking, redness, and pain are also common.
Sebaceous filaments are thin, threadlike appendages that line your sebaceous (oil) glands. They help move an oily lubricant called sebum from the glands to the surface of your skin. When your sebaceous glands overproduce sebum, your sebaceous filaments become more noticeable.
In pregnancy, the uterus expands, stretching and thinning the linea alba. The tissue is then forced outward. After delivery, the linea alba can return to its original shape, bringing the abdominal muscles back together. Sometimes, this doesn't occur, or the gap is only partially closed.
Linea alba is a horizontal, asymptomatic white linear lesion seen on the buccal mucosa at the level of the occlusal plane of the teeth, often mistaken for leukoplakia.
The white, stringy substance in your mouth is a biofilm, which contains bacteria. However, it's not harmful because these bacteria already exist in your mouth naturally. Even if you swallowed it, it wouldn't be dangerous because your stomach acid would break it down completely.
It's OK to swallow tonsil stones. They won't hurt you.
Salivary stones, also called sialolithiasis, are hardened mineral deposits that form in the salivary glands. The condition is more likely to affect people age 30 to 60 and men are more likely to get salivary stones than women.
Lichen planus can appear as a rash on the inside of your arm. White patches in your mouth may be a symptom of lichen planus.
When you have oral thrush, your mouth is red inside with white patches. When you wipe off the white patches, they leave red spots that can bleed. Other symptoms in adults are: cracks at the corners of the mouth.
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the mucus membrane of the oral cavity. It is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease in which the cytotoxic CD8+ T cells trigger apoptosis of the basal cells of the oral epithelium.