Red and White Lesions of the Oral Cavity: An Update

Abstract

In our oral cavity various pathological conditions have been reported which includes different type of lesionswhich require a proper diagnostic criteria, clinically correlation including radiographic & histological reportsfor its diagnosis. In this article we focus on the various types of red and white lesions of the oral cavity whichhave been classified based on its etiology, variation in structure, appearance, precancerous potentiality &etc. The lesion appears white due to changes in the epithelium which can be caused by an increase in thekeratinization of normal keratinized mucosa, keratinization of non keratinized mucosa or thickening of theepithelium. The reduced vascularity or fibrosis of mucosa can also lead to the whiteness of the oral mucosa.The red appearance of the lesion appears because of the inflammation,atrophy, vascular dilation, and purpuraor reduced in the keratinization of the oral epithelium. Generally the red and white lesions are benign and alarge proportion of the normal population has been affected by it. The most common precancerous conditionwhich comes under these lesions classification is Leukoplakia. A proper management of this condition isrequired to avoid its future complication. All conditions should be properly examined by taking a proper andcareful history. However a biopsy is much needed for these conditions to be diagnosed accurately