There are several possible causes for white lines inside your cheeks. In some cases, it may be due to irritation or friction in your mouth. In other cases, it may be a sign of a more serious condition. It’s important to discuss any concerns with a dentist.
The next time you brush your teeth, take a closer look at the inside of your cheek. Do you notice a thin white line running along the pink tissue there?
This is a condition known as linea alba. It’s typically harmless and doesn’t require treatment.
But it may be worth getting checked out. There are other more serious conditions that can look like it, and they do need treatment.
Typically, linea alba shows up as a horizontal white line that runs along the inside of your cheek across from your occlusal plane. The occlusal plane is the area where your top teeth meet your bottom teeth, from your incisors to your molars.
You might not even realize you’ve developed linea alba unless you make a special effort to look for it or unless a dentist notices it during an examination.
Linea alba is evidence of irritation inside your mouth. Typically, it’s caused by chronic (long-term) friction between your teeth and the lining of your cheek, also known as your buccal mucosa.
It can also be caused by other sources of friction in the mouth, such as:
- dentures that rub against each other
- uneven teeth that grind or slide past each other
- orthodontic appliances
- overly enthusiastic brushing and flossing
A doctor or dentist will want to get a good look at the inside of your mouth. Unless there’s concern that it’s a condition other than linea alba, no specific treatment is necessary.
A doctor will probably explain what’s causing the white line and ask you about any habits you have that could be causing it. If you tend to gnaw on the inside of your cheek, the doctor may advise you to break that habit.
However, if you have dentures or wear a retainer, you may need to get those adjusted to fit better. This should hopefully reduce the friction they’re causing in your cheek’s lining.
Linea alba isn’t the only thing that can cause white lines or white patches to show up inside your mouth. In fact, it’s easy to confuse linea alba with a number of other conditions.
Linea alba doesn‘t cause these conditions, but these conditions can cause similar markings in your mouth. These include:
- a canker sore, which is a small white or yellow ulcer in your mouth
- debris in your mouth, which can be scraped or brushed away
- a human papillomavirus (HPV) lesion
- oral lichen planus, which is an oral skin rash linked to an immune response
- oral thrush, which is a yeast infection inside the mouth
- leukoplakia, which can be an early sign of oral cancer
Leukoplakia patches can develop:
- inside your cheeks
- along your gums
- on your tongue or palate
- on the bottom of your mouth
Mild cases of leukoplakia tend to go away on their own. While most cases don’t lead to cancer, some of the tissue changes associated with leukoplakia can eventually develop into cancer.
Keep an eye on any white patch or lump that doesn’t go away. It could be an early indicator of oral cancer, such as cancer of the buccal mucosa, the lining of the inside of your cheek.
These cancers usually start in the thin flat cells known as squamous cells, so they’re called squamous cell carcinomas, according to the
Other symptoms of oral cancer can include:
- pain that increases when you eat or drink
- difficulty chewing
- ear pain
- trouble moving your jaw or tongue
- numbness of the tongue
- hoarseness
- a red patch or patches that bleed easily
People who use chewing tobacco or snuff are at a higher risk of developing oral cancers. Men are also at a
Linea alba by itself doesn’t require any special treatment. If you know that you’re grinding your teeth or your dentures don’t fit quite right, you can get that addressed and see if it makes a difference.
But if you start to develop other symptoms, including pain or numbness in your jaw, bleeding, or sores that don’t go away, let a doctor know. You may need to undergo some further examination or testing to get the right diagnosis.
If you’re a tobacco user and you notice an unusual lesion in your cheek or inside your lip, see a doctor. They may order the following tests:
- bloodwork
- biopsy
- imaging studies like a CT or MRI scan
If you notice symptoms, don’t ignore them. It’s important to get the right diagnosis in case you do need treatment.
All by itself, a white line across your inner cheek that doesn’t hurt, itch, or cause you any other type of discomfort is probably nothing to worry about.
If an area changes, looks different, or does not heal within 14 days, you should visit a doctor or dentist for an examination.