Frictional keratosis is a name given to one type of white patch
in the mouth. Often this keratosis can appear as a thin white
line across the length of the cheek (called linea alba, 'white
line') opposite where the teeth meet. It can also appear as a
discrete white patch anywhere in the mouth, but particularly on
the gum or cheek.
This type of white patch is very common and is caused by regular
friction on the soft tissues of the mouth, mostly from teeth and/or
dentures. The body reacts to the irritation by laying down more
cells - rather like the hard skin that you get on parts of your
fingers where you grip a pen. If the source of irritation is removed,
the whiteness should disappear.
We have no evidence that this type of white patch causes problems
in the short or long-term.
