Your oral health is a significant indicator of your overall well-being. If your teeth, gums, or other structures and tissues within the mouth are unhealthy, they will likely affect your general health. Dentists recommend taking good care of your oral health as part of maintaining your overall health. If you have white spots on your gums, they indicate a minor, moderate, or severe health issue. These spots appear in lace-like webs, patches, or small spots. They can harden or thicken and can become painful or uncomfortable, depending on the underlying cause. Although some can heal on their own, you should seek treatment immediately if you notice them.
A skilled dentist can help you determine the type, cause, and treatment for the white spots with proper diagnosis. They can also advise you on ways to avoid them and how to improve your oral health for better overall health.
Possible Causes of White Spots on Gums
Taking good care of your teeth and gums extends beyond daily brushing and flossing. You must be observant of any changes that occur in your mouth and seek treatment or advice from a skilled dentist promptly. Severe oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer start with minor signs and symptoms that you can easily ignore. If treatment is delayed for most of these conditions, the problem escalates and can eventually impact your overall health. Therefore, consult your dentist immediately if you notice white spots on your gums. Since many conditions can cause them, your dentist will provide a proper diagnosis after examining you to determine the right treatment plan.
Here are possible causes of white spots on gums:
Canker Sores
These are the leading causes of white spots on gums. They are painful sores that appear in the mouth’s soft tissues, like on the gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue. They are small, shallow, yellow or white ulcers with a reddish border. Since they are painful, they can be very uncomfortable, especially when talking or eating. Canker sores are not contagious. They appear mainly because of the following:
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A minor trauma inside the mouth, like an accidental bite on the cheek or tongue
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Extreme stress that weakens your immune system
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Some foods and drinks, like spicy and acidic ones,
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Nutritional deficiencies, including inadequate folate, iron, and Vitamin B12
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Hormonal changes, especially for women during menstruation
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Allergic reactions to some chemicals or foods
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Family history, especially if there are members of your family who are prone to canker sores
Here are more detailed indications that you have canker sores:
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The presence of painful white, round, or oval spots with a reddish border on your gums or other soft tissues in the mouth
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You experienced a tingling or burning sensation before they appeared
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You are uncomfortable when talking, eating, or swallowing
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You have more sores on the innermost surface of the mouth
If your dentist diagnoses you with canker sores, they will recommend treatment that will work within days to give you relief, especially when talking or eating. Some canker sores heal naturally within a week. However, your dentist can recommend some home remedies, including rinsing your mouth with warm, salty water twice a day to speed up the natural healing process. They can also recommend pain medication for the discomfort. If you have severe canker sores, your dentist can recommend a steroid cream or mouthwash. A more aggressive intervention will be needed if the sores do not clear in a few days or when they keep recurring.
Oral Thrush
This, too, is a common cause of white spots on gums. It is a condition caused by the candida fungus that accumulates in some parts of the mouth. Oral thrush appears as yellow or creamy white lesions on the mouth’s soft tissues, including the gums, inner cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth. The lesions are usually slightly raised and can cause soreness and bleeding, especially when brushing your teeth or eating. Although oral thrush can affect anyone, it primarily affects children, older adults, and individuals with a weakened immune system.
If you have oral thrush, you will notice the following:
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White spots or lesions on the gums, tongue, cheeks, roof of the mouth, or tonsils
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The lesions are generally reddish and painful
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You could lose your taste, or have a bad taste in your mouth
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Minor cracks can appear on the corners of your mouth
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You could experience difficulties eating and swallowing, since the infection can spread to the throat and oesophagus
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Bleeding in the mouth, especially in the affected parts
The leading cause of oral thrush is an overgrowth of the Candida fungus, which is naturally present in the mouth. However, people with a weak immune system are more susceptible. Some medications can also cause the problem, including certain corticosteroids and antibiotics that disrupt the balance of fungi and bacteria in your mouth. Other factors that could exacerbate the condition include health issues such as diabetes and poor oral hygiene habits.
If your dentist diagnoses you with oral thrush, they can recommend antifungal medication, ointments, lozenges, and mouthwashes to treat the infection. You can combine this with some home remedies, like rinsing your mouth regularly with warm, salty water. A probiotic mouthwash can also help manage symptoms.
Oral Lichen Planus
This is a chronic inflammation that affects the mucous membranes of your mouth. It causes white patches and lacy threads on specific parts of the mouth, including the gums, cheeks, and other soft tissues. The white, lacy patches that appear when you have this condition are generally painless. However, they can eventually develop into raised reddish patches that can be painful, especially if there are open sores. Here is a detailed indication that you have oral lichen planus:
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You notice white patches and lacy threads on your gums, tongue, or cheeks
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The patches cause redness and swelling in some parts, which are tender and painful
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You experience a stinging or burning sensation when eating
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Your mouth becomes extremely sensitive to acidic, hot, or spicy foods
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You experience discomfort when eating, drinking, or speaking
The cause of this condition is generally unknown. However, dentists argue that some dental materials and medications can trigger it. Having a compromised immune system increases your risk of developing it. A skilled dentist can diagnose it after conducting a thorough examination of your mouth and underlying structures, as well as reviewing your medical and dental treatment history. After diagnosis, your dentist can recommend a mouthwash or spray that will soothe your symptoms. A topical corticosteroid can reduce pain and inflammation. They will advise you to avoid foods that are likely to worsen your condition, including hot, spicy, and acidic foods.
You should also visit your dentist regularly for routine checkups and examinations. A competent dentist can diagnose a condition like this and treat it at the onset to protect you from its severe symptoms.
Leukoplakia
This condition also causes white patches to appear on your gums, cheeks, tongue, and the bottom of your mouth. The patches harden or thicken over time, making it possible for you to scrape them off. Although some causes of this condition are benign, others can be precancerous. Speckled leukoplakia, characterized by white patches with reddish areas, is typically regarded as a precancerous condition.
Leukoplakia is mainly caused by repeated irritation or injury to the mouth caused by spicy, hot foods, ill-fitting dentures, or rough teeth. Tobacco chewing and smoking have also been associated with the condition. Other possible causes include heavy alcohol consumption, vitamin deficiencies, and some viral infections.
If you have leukoplakia, you will notice these symptoms:
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Whitish or grayish patches of various sizes and shapes on your gums, tongue, cheeks, or other soft tissues in the mouth
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Although the patches are generally painless, you can experience sensitivity to spicy and hot foods, or to touch
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A rough texture to the touch
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You cannot easily wipe or scrape the patches away
When you visit your dentist with these symptoms, they will conduct a visual examination first to determine the type and location of the patches. A biopsy can be necessary to determine the nature and type of the patches.
Although some leukoplakias can heal on their own, or after lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or reducing alcohol intake, you may require treatment for a severe case. An oral surgeon can remove the patches if they are precancerous.
How To Prevent White Spots on Gums
Generally, white spots on gums occur when you have an underlying oral issue that requires treatment. Proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary to eliminate the spots, enhance your oral health, and overall well-being. Although there are specific ways to prevent the underlying causes of white spots on gums, like oral thrush and canker sores, here are the general ones that will keep your oral health in excellent condition. When your oral health and immune system are good, you will be less likely to experience oral or dental-related problems.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene Habits
This is recommended as the leading way to prevent all kinds of oral and dental problems. A good oral hygiene habit includes brushing your teeth twice daily or after every meal, and flossing daily, which aims to remove remaining and stuck food from the mouth and between the teeth. When food remains in the mouth, it combines with harmful oral bacteria, triggering an acidic reaction that can lead to cavities and gum disease. An unclean mouth also encourages the growth of candida and other fungi and bacteria that cause some of the common causes of white spots on gums.
When brushing your teeth, be gentle to avoid irritating the gums and other sensitive tissues. Brush gently, always using a soft-bristled brush. Using a mouthwash at least twice a day can help reduce your risk of oral and dental problems.
Watching Your Diet
Your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being. Dentists advise choosing your food carefully daily. In addition to eating a balanced diet, it is recommended to reduce your intake of starchy and sugary foods, as they can encourage bacterial growth in the mouth. Other foods to avoid include spicy, hot, and acidic foods that can irritate the soft tissues in the mouth, such as the gums and cheeks.
Additionally, your dentist will advise you to quit habits that compromise your immune system and negatively impact your oral health. Examples of such habits include smoking or chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.
Avoid Stress
Stress affects your oral and general health by weakening your immune system. This puts you at risk of various infections, including gum disease, oral thrush, and oral cancer. Stress can also lead to the development of harmful habits, such as teeth grinding, which can cause soft tissue injuries in the mouth and result in painful and infectious white spots. Your dentist will recommend therapy if you are battling stress. If you habitually grind or clench your teeth when stressed, they will recommend a few safety tactics to protect your teeth and gums while you sleep, such as wearing mouthguards.
Regular Checkups with your Dentist
Regular dental visits are beneficial for both treatment and prevention purposes. During these checkups, a dentist examines your teeth, gums, and the underlying structures of your teeth for any issues that could result in severe dental or oral problems. They can detect an oral problem at onset and treat it immediately before it escalates into a significant issue. They also recommend preventive strategies that you can use at home to prevent experiencing some of the problems that cause white spots on the gums, such as canker sores and leukoplakia.
Find a Competent Dentist Near Me
White spots on your gums, or your loved one’s gums, can signify an underlying minor, moderate, or severe oral issue. You should visit your dentist immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your dentist will determine the type, cause, and likely effect of your white spots after conducting an examination of your gums and other structures and tissues within the mouth. They will also review your medical and treatment history to determine the exact cause.
In addition to treating white spots on gums in Encino, we advise our patients on the best ways to avoid them. At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we strive to enhance your oral and overall health, helping you stay free from various oral and dental issues. Contact us at 818-751-5100 to learn more about your symptoms and the best treatment options.
