Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop
Dentistry
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
What is this white patch surrounded by redness in my mouth? I was recovering from COVID-19 when it appeared. It feels like my jaw hurts and is particularly excruciating when I open my jaw wide to eat or something.
I am a 39-year-old male with a good health condition. I take Zoloft (Sertraline) to manage depression and anxiety (sometimes, the anxieties are mainly around health issues). I have been prescribed an antibiotic for the condition in my mouth but would like to have another opinion. Is this something to be concerned about? Should I get a biopsy?
I have health anxiety. I am concerned that this ulcer in my mouth could be leukoplakia. I started taking antibiotics. I am not a smoker and drink on average once every other month.
Hello,
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I have studied your case and will be answering the query shortly. Please check all follow-up messages for the treatment plan and instructions. I have seen the images enclosed (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity).
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The lesion appears to be moderate, and the white patch might not even be precancerous. The same kind of lesions happens when there is an infection of the oral mucous membrane like in the cheek, biting too hard on the cheek, trauma, or any other reasons.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I saw a telehealth dentist who prescribed an antibiotic. But he also mentioned leukoplakia which gave me a big fright. I am neither a smoker nor a drinker.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The red lesion is also moderate or large, as I can see in the picture (attachments removed to protect patient's identity). You can continue the antibiotic given to you for the days prescribed. But the advantage of getting a physical examination done by the dentist or the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is that you will know the texture, exact size and if a biopsy needs to be done.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Since I am still recovering from COVID, I cannot go in person to see a dentist until next week. So I want to get a second opinion on telehealth in the interim.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I would recommend you definitely to get the physical examination by a dentist done first. Then, if needed, they will do the biopsy or FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology. You will get the reports soon enough from the pathology lab in a day or two.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I know you cannot assess it in detail, but does it show any signs of leukoplakia or something more severe? I am just incredibly anxious.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I can understand your concern. It might be leukoplakia. But you do not need to take so much stress. Leukoplakia is just one of the many precancerous lesions that have not turned into cancer. It might even be that it is not leukoplakia and just a chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes. But if you get a biopsy, you will definitely gain clarity on the type of cells because the lesion is moderate. If it were very small, it would have been ignored. I recommend you start with warm salt water rinsing five to six times a day and Chlorhexidine antiseptic mouthwashing daily at night. That will definitely help in relieving non-precancerous lesions very soon.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Should I closely monitor anything in particular over the coming days before getting an in-person appointment?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I suggest you to take vitamin E tablets or capsules of 400 mg. They are antioxidants and help fight any precancerous lesions. You can take that till the biopsy report comes. If it is not leukoplakia and is just caused due to some other reason, it will get resolved. But just for your clarity, better get it done and also do not stop the antibiotic course, salt water rinsing, mouth washing, and vitamin E capsule till the report comes.
Do not worry. Everything will be fine.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Have a nice day.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Vitamin E is good for COVID as well. I suggest you to take a tablet every day or puncture the capsule and apply it over the patch area. Once you are recovered from COVID, do visit the dentist and get the biopsy done as soon as possible. There is nothing to worry, stress, or panic about. Stay positive.
If you need help with the biopsy report assessment or have any doubts, you can definitely ask, and I am glad to help.
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Dentistry
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