Incidental Finding of Oral White Lesions Due to Tobacco Chewing - A Case Report

The diagnosis of oral white lesions might be quite challenging. White lesions are only 5% of all oral pathologies. Smokeless tobacco (ST), also known as tobacco chewing, spit tobacco, dip, plug, or chew, is one of the well-documented agents that causes white lesions. The use of ST is associated with a variety of oral cavity lesions, including tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth loss, leukoplakia, keratosis, oral cancers such as carcinoma-in situ, verrucous carcinoma, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The prevalence and severity of lesions are dose related. Therefore, it can be best predicted by the amount, frequency, and duration of ST used. This case report highlights an unusual presentation of an adolescent child presenting in the orthodontic retention phase that was originally misdiagnosed as gingival recession due to treatment. A clinical examination of the oral cavity and careful history taken should be routinely performed in every patient presenting at a dental office.