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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Patches On The Inner Cheeks?

I have these patches on the inside of my cheeks that do not go away. I can scratch the scum off with my finger nail and some with the tooth brush. It does not hurt. Just scum. Started using listerine and it helps very little. A couple of months ago when I saw my doctor he gave me some kind of thrush medicine but did not help. Yes I smoke.
Wed, 30 Mar 2016
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concern.

As per your complain it seems that the patches over the cheeks that are painless along with a history of smoking can be due to causes like Frictional Keratosis that is a harmless overproduction of keratin layer over the mucosa as a protective phenomena to prevent damage to mucosa with the friction and chemicals..
Other cause can he Leukoplakia that is also over production of Keratin but there is also disturbance in cells known as cell dysplasia..
It is a Precancerous lesion and needs mime medical assistance..
Another cause can be fungal infection known as Oral Thrush..
I would suggest you to consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated and a clinical evaluation and investigations like Biopsy can be done for diagnosis..
In case if it is due to Frictional Keratosis it will get resolved on its own once the smoking habit is stopped..
In case of Leukoplakia you can be advised Multivitamins and anti oxidants like Lycopene for atleast 2 to 3 months..
Cessation of smoking is must..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..
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What Causes Patches On The Inner Cheeks?

Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concern. As per your complain it seems that the patches over the cheeks that are painless along with a history of smoking can be due to causes like Frictional Keratosis that is a harmless overproduction of keratin layer over the mucosa as a protective phenomena to prevent damage to mucosa with the friction and chemicals.. Other cause can he Leukoplakia that is also over production of Keratin but there is also disturbance in cells known as cell dysplasia.. It is a Precancerous lesion and needs mime medical assistance.. Another cause can be fungal infection known as Oral Thrush.. I would suggest you to consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated and a clinical evaluation and investigations like Biopsy can be done for diagnosis.. In case if it is due to Frictional Keratosis it will get resolved on its own once the smoking habit is stopped.. In case of Leukoplakia you can be advised Multivitamins and anti oxidants like Lycopene for atleast 2 to 3 months.. Cessation of smoking is must.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards.. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..